Department for Transport

East Midlands Rail Franchise

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the award of the East Midlands franchise.

Joseph Johnson: I refer the Hon Member to my answer to the Hon Member for Middlesbrough Andy McDonald MP on 18 July 2018 UIN 163573 referring to the East Midlands timetable.

East Midlands Rail Franchise

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what length of franchise he plans to award to the successful bidder for the East Midlands franchise.

Joseph Johnson: The next East Midlands franchise is planned to start in August 2019 and will operate for 8 years, with an option for the Secretary of State to extend the term by up to an additional two years.

South Eastern Rail Franchise

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the award of the South Eastern franchise.

Joseph Johnson: The Department is currently evaluating bids for the South Eastern competition and will make an announcement on award in due course.

South Eastern Rail Franchise

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which bidders to date remain under consideration for the South Eastern franchise.

Joseph Johnson: Bids from the following companies are currently being evaluated:South Eastern Railways Ltd, a joint venture between Abellio and the consortium of East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co LtdLondon and South East Passenger Rail Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Govia LtdStagecoach South Eastern Trains Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stagecoach Group plc

Heathrow Airport

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 162595 on Heathrow Airport, what statutory mechanisms are in place to ensure that unfunded Public Service Obligations to Heathrow Airport will be binding on both the Heathrow Airport and airlines.

Jesse Norman: The Government expects the majority of domestic routes from an expanded Heathrow to be commercially viable with support from Heathrow Airport, as many are today. Unfunded Public Service Obligations to Heathrow Airport would provide a safeguard for domestic connections and an exemption from Air Passenger Duty – saving £26 from a domestic return ticket. EU Air Services Regulation 1008/2008 (Articles 16-18) makes provision for Public Service Obligations which are legally enforceable.

Roads: Litter

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 57 of the Government's Litter strategy, published in April 2017, the number of partnerships Highways England has entered into with local authorities in relation to co-operation in tackling roadside litter.

Jesse Norman: Highways England currently have 21 collaboration agreements in place formally with local authorities in relation to tackling roadside litter. Highways England also have informal partnerships with other Local Authorities, and are pursuing new opportunities for increased collaboration.

Great Western Railway: Standards

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much money Great Western Railway has been fined for not meeting performance targets in each of the last eight years for which data is available.

Joseph Johnson: No monetary penalties under the Railways Act 1993 statutory enforcement regime have been imposed on the Great Western franchisee during that period.

Aviation: Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what rules are in place for the testing of (a) drugs and (b) alcohol consumption by commercial pilots.

Jesse Norman: The Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 sets out a prescribed alcohol limit for people involved in aviation activities, including flight crew. The Act authorises the police to test flight crew for drugs and alcohol after accidents or incidents, or with due cause at any other time. Under European aviation safety regulations, all UK Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders should have a drug and alcohol policy, as part of their Safety Management System. Trained staff carry out screening tests usually by mouth swab, breath, blood, hair or urine sample. A confirmed positive result should be reported to the Civil Aviation Authorities medical department. The Civil Aviation Authority publishes guidance for AOC holders on drug and alcohol policies, including testing, which can be found at www.caa.co.uk/cap1686.

Northern: Timetables

Ms Marie Rimmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) societal and (b) economic effect of the Northern rail timetable changes made in May.

Joseph Johnson: I refer the Hon Member to my answer given to the Hon Member for Middlesbrough on Friday 13 July 2018 UIN 161175 in regards to Northern timetables.

Blue Badge Scheme

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the publication of the results of the Blue Badge (disabled parking) scheme eligibility review consultation on the Gov.uk website.

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the results of the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme eligibility review consultation were not published within three months of the consultation closing on 18 March 2018.

Jesse Norman: The consultation attracted over 6300 responses and we have been considering these carefully in order to reach the best outcome for disabled people. We expect to publish the results shortly.

Railways: Compensation

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the amount of money rail franchises have paid out in compensation to ticket holders in each of the last 12 months for which data is available.

Joseph Johnson: Figures for the compensation paid to ticket holders by train operating companies in 2016/17 was published in January 2018. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/train-operating-companies-passengers-charter-compensation#history The total 2016/17 passenger compensation payment by the DfT franchised Train Operating Companies (TOCs) was £73.6m, an increase of 63.8% on the 2015/16 total of £44.9m.

Road Traffic Control: M20

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of progress in preparations for avoiding the introduction of Operation Stack on the M20; if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: Since 2015, improvements made to increase capacity at both Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover combined with better management and monitoring arrangements for Dover TAP (Traffic Assessment Project), which controls HGV traffic on the A20, have avoided the use of Stack on the M20. In addition, we are delivering an interim scheme on the M20 between junctions 8 and 9 to allow two way flow of traffic, even when the M20 needs to be utilised. Highways England and the Department for Transport have robust project and programme management processes in place for the delivery of this work, and both the Secretary of State and I receive regular updates. Work has started on the M20, and it is presently running to schedule. Highways England is confident this work will be completed in line with the agreed timescale, by March 2019. Highways England have also been tasked with providing a long term solution to traffic delays caused by cross channel disruption and they are undergoing a public consultation which finishes on 22 July, progress on this is also going according to plan.

Northern: Compensation

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Northern Rail compensation scheme.

Joseph Johnson: The rail industry is funding a special compensation scheme in addition to the normal Delay Repay arrangements. Northern and TransPennine Express (TPE) have already announced the compensation scheme for season ticket holders. Transport for the North will decide the details of any further compensation arrangements with Northern and TPE. Transport for the North has agreed that the special compensation should cover weekly, monthly and annual season ticket holders on the worst affected routes who experienced severe disruption before and after the May timetable change. Eligible passengers will receive a cash payment equivalent to up to one month’s travel. This is equivalent to the compensation package for GTR customers. Season ticket holders in other parts of the north that have been badly affected since the introduction of the May timetable will be eligible to receive a cash payment equivalent to one week’s travel. This will be in addition to the standard existing compensation to which passengers are entitled.

Airports: Disability

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking in response to the Civil Aviation Authority's 2018 report that London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester airports are not sufficiently accessible to disabled passengers.

Jesse Norman: The Department is looking at measures to improve accessibility at airports and on aircraft through our Aviation Strategy which is due to be published in 2019. This will build on the work of the CAA, which has already stepped up its compliance activity and efforts to support airports which are falling below standards, and which is working to put in place improvement plans, where necessary, so that all airports are fully accessible for disabled passengers.

Bus Services

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many cessations of bus services his Department or Traffic Commissioners have been notified of in each of the last five ears, and where in the UK these these been.

Ms Nusrat Ghani: The table below shows cancelled bus services in Great Britain (outside of London), registered with the traffic commissioners. Cancelled local bus service registrations by Traffic Area  2016-172015-162014-152013-142012-13Eastern480412525480476North Eastern639511711639719North Western683684644683736South Eastern and Metropolitan172127171172223West Midlands320225316320346Western395380474395362Scotland466464451466614Wales143322193143300Total (excl London and N Ireland)  3,298  3,125  3,485  3,298  3,776 Source: Traffic Commissioner Annual Reports These figures relate only to the local bus service registered with a traffic commissioner in Great Britain. They do not include those services registered with Transport for London or those in Northern Ireland.

Severn River Crossing: Tolls

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, from what date the tolls on the Severn Bridges are planned to be removed.

Jesse Norman: On 21 July 2017 the Government announced that tolls at the Severn Crossings would be abolished by the end of 2018. The Department will announce the next steps in due course.

Govia Thameslink Railway

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been paid in (a) compensation payments to customers and (b) penalty payments to his Department by  Govia Thameslink Railway in relation to its rail franchises in the last 12 months.

Joseph Johnson: Govia Thameslink Railway paid £5.5m in compensation payments to customers in the last 12 months up to 23rd June 2018, the latest date for which data is available. The Department for Transport agreed a £5m per annum settlement with Govia Thameslink Railway for their performance payments for the period from September 2016 to September 2018.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Companies: Registration

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to verify the integrity of information held by Companies House.

Kelly Tolhurst: Companies House is constantly looking to improve the integrity of information that is filed on the companies register. New systems have been introduced over the last 12 months to help ensure that inaccurate or fraudulent information is spotted. Their integrity team has also expanded and there are currently around 80 staff working on integrity issues. Following the evaluation of the UK’s anti-money laundering regime by the Financial Action Task Force, the Government will actively consider areas where the regulatory framework can be improved. This will include how assurance is provided over information filed with Companies House.

Conditions of Employment: EU Action

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to support the proposal for a Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive is still being negotiated in the European Union. The UK supported the General Approach, the preliminary agreement by Council, on the Directive at EPSCO in June this year. We hope to be able to support the adoption of the final version of the Directive when it comes back to Council in due course.

Electricity Interconnectors

Jo Platt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 44, paragraph 139 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union cm. 9593, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the timely completion of the interconnectors to Belgium, Norway and Denmark; and what the estimated completion date is of each of those interconnectors.

Claire Perry: Interconnectors are a key part of a flexible energy system, which the UK and EU have a shared interest in. The UK has a market-led approach to interconnection, regulated by Ofgem, that has succeeded in bringing interconnectors forward that are in the interests of GB consumers. We are in regular dialogue with interconnector developers and with the governments in each of the countries. The Nemo Link interconnector to Belgium and the NSL interconnector to Norway are already under construction; National Grid is targeting completion dates of 2019 and 2021, respectively. The VikingLink project to Denmark has received initial regulatory approvals from Ofgem and in Denmark; National Grid currently expects the project to complete in 2023. A further project to Norway, NorthConnect, has received initial regulatory approval by Ofgem and is currently seeking approvals in Norway.

Modern Working Practices Review

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to publish the Government’s response to the Taylor Report consultations.

Kelly Tolhurst: In the Government Response to the Taylor Review, we set out our commitment to take forward recommendations to improve clarity on employment status, boost protections for agency workers and increase state enforcement of basic rights for vulnerable workers. We received over 420 detailed responses to the consultations. These will help shape how best to implement the recommendations and achieve change that works for all. We are currently analysing the responses and will respond in due course.

Retail Trade: Insolvency

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he plans to respond to the report of the Law Commission entitled Consumer Prepayments on Retailer Insolvency, HC 543, published on 13 July 2016.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government will respond to the Law Commission’s report on Consumer Prepayments on Retail Insolvency in due course.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Richard Harrington: We do not hold a central record of all employees, either paid or unpaid, who have previously been Members of Parliament.

Maternity Leave

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate his Department has made of the number of women who take between 39 and 52 weeks maternity leave in each year for which information is available.

Kelly Tolhurst: The most recent official data on maternity leave is from the Maternity and Paternity Rights Survey in 2009, which collected data from mothers of children born in 2008. A previous survey in 2007 collected data for children born in 2006. There were policy changes between these dates: in particular, up to 39 weeks’ Statutory Maternity Pay were available in 2008 compared to 26 weeks in 2006. Findings from these two surveys are summarised in the table below, showing the percentage of mothers who took 39 weeks of maternity leave or more, out of a sample of mothers who had worked at some point in the 12 months before birth. Although the question asked about maternity leave, some responses appear to have included other forms of leave. Duration of Maternity Leave39 weeks40-51 weeks52 weeks53 weeks or more20061%10%12%4%200820%22%17%6% The Government will shortly commission a new survey, which will provide updated information. Subject to the progress of data collection, we anticipate publishing findings in Spring 2019.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems: Finance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 162553, which Department will provide funding for the proposed £3-5 billion domestic satellite navigation system; and whether that funding will be taken from money that has already been allocated in the Budget.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Darfur: UN Security Council

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to fulfil its role as a penholder on Darfur in the UN Security Council.

Harriett Baldwin: We welcome the Security Council's unanimous adoption of UK-drafted Resolution 2429 on 13 July which extended the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)'s mandate for a further year. As pen-holder for UNAMID in the Security Council, the UK engaged in extensive negotiations to secure an appropriate mandate for UNAMID in light of the evolving context in Darfur, including leading a visit to Darfur in May to get a first-hand perspective of the situation on the ground. The UK is committed to ensuring that the Mission is adequately resourced to fulfil its mandate and fully supports Resolution 2429 strong focus on ensuring a sustainable transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding and preventing a relapse into conflict.

Cambodia: Elections

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of reported (a) human rights abuses and (b) attacks on political opposition and trade unions on the fairness of the forthcoming general election in Cambodia.

Mark Field: We are deeply concerned about steps taken by the Cambodian authorities and Supreme Court which undermine freedom of expression and prospects for free and fair elections. We have repeatedly raised our concerns at the dissolution of the CNRP and arrest of the opposition leader Kem Sokha with the Cambodian government. Most recently, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office recently underlined our concerns to his counterparts during a visit to Cambodia on 18 May. At the UN Human Rights Council in June, the UK expressed dismay at the continued democratic deterioration in Cambodia. A EU statement made on 30 May at the Committee on the Application of Standards urged the Cambodian Government to cease using the judiciary as a political tool to harass and intimidate trade unions. Despite an uptake of small political parties registering ahead of the Election, we assess that these do not constitute a credible opposition.

Cambodia: Overseas Aid

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much Official Development Assistance has been allocated to (a) trade and economic development, (b) governance and (c) human rights programmes in Cambodia.

Mark Field: ​For the current financial year (18/19) there is no Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocation specifically for trade and economic development or governance in Cambodia. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently has £332,500 allocated to human rights programmes in Cambodia for this year. In previous years, the UK has allocated ODA to a number of projects in Cambodia including the Global Action Mine Programme which since 2014 has provided £3.9 million in funds. The UK also supports a series of programmes on access to education, volunteer schemes and continues to support the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) which addresses the prosecutions of crimes committed during the period of the Khmer Rouge.

Yemen: Military Intervention

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2018 to Question 154140 on Yemen: Military Intervention, whether UK personnel have had access to the targeting rooms of the Saudi Arabian air force.

Alistair Burt: Yes, we have a very small number of staff working in Saudi headquarters in a liaison capacity only.Separately, you are already aware that the UK's role in helping Saudi Arabia respond to the threat from Houthi missiles is limited to providing advice, information and assistance. The UK is not conducting strikes on the basis of this activity. You will of course understand that going into further detail may jeopardise the effectiveness of what we are trying to achieve, which is to reduce the threat to Saudi Arabia of ballistic missile attacks on civilian areas.

Israel: Palestinians

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of violence in Israel and the West Bank.

Alistair Burt: The Government remains concerned about violence in Israel and the West Bank, which makes the goal of peace harder to achieve. We press the parties to refrain from incitement and unhelpful rhetoric, and call on all parties to act with restraint, reject violence, and work together to ensure calm and stability.

Burma: Rohingya

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assurances Burmese State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has given to the Government on the status of Rohingya in Burma.

Mark Field: ​The former Foreign Secretary and Aung San Suu Kyi discussed the status of the Rohingya on many occasions, most recently on 11 June. She highlighted Burma's recent announcement that it had signed a MoU allowing for a UN presence in northern Rakhine.The Rohingya have long been persecuted in Rakhine. We continue to urge the Burmese Government to address the underlying issues through the implementation of the Rakhine Advisory Commission recommendations, including on the status of the Rohingya. The British Ambassador made this clear with Burmese Ministers and the Commander in Chief of the Army in early July.

Iran: Religious Freedom

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Iranian counterpart on the protection of (a) religious minorities and (b) the Baha'i religious community in that country.

Alistair Burt: The human rights situation in Iran is of serious concern. This includes the treatment of the Baha'i community and other religious minorities. We call on Iran to respect the rights and freedoms of all its citizens no matter what their religion or belief. I raised my human rights concerns with my Iranian counterpart during his visit to London in February.

Eritrea: Diplomatic Relations

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to extend and enhance diplomatic relationships with Eritrea as a result of the recent agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Harriett Baldwin: The UK already enjoys an active diplomatic relationship with Eritrea and Ethiopia, with busy Embassies in both countries.

Morocco: Trade Agreements

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government consulted (a) the Saharawi people and (b) the local population in drawing up its amendment to the EU-Morocco Trade Agreement.

Alistair Burt: ​The EU-Morocco Association Agreement comes under EU competence. The EU has sought to ensure that the amendment is fully consistent with the requirements of the European Court of Justice ruling of December 2016 on the applicability of the EU/Morocco Association Agreement to Western Sahara. The EU consulted a wide spectrum of Western Saharan representatives, stake-holders, civil society, and other organisations. The EU Commission's report of its consultations is available online: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=SWD:2018:346:FIN&from=FR.

USA: Official Visits

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of hosting the visit of President Trump to the UK.

Sir Alan Duncan: The visit of President Trump was a Guest of Government visit. As with all visits of this nature, costs will be published on the gov.uk website in due course. Policing costs will also be available from the Metropolitan Police.

China: Human Rights

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will raise restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in (a) Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and (b) other parts of China at the next UK-China Human Rights Dialogue; and whether a date for that next dialogue has been confirmed.

Mark Field: We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China, particularly in Xinjiang. We raised our concerns with the Chinese authorities at the last UK/China Human Rights Dialogue which took place in June 2017 and will do so again at the next Dialogue: we are currently seeking to agree dates with the Chinese authorities. In the meantime, my officials will continue to monitor the situation in Xinjiang closely.

Gaza: Fisheries

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on that country's decision to reduce the fishing area off the coast of Gaza from six to three nautical miles; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised our concerns regarding the additional restrictions imposed on Gaza with the Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on 18 July. The further restrictions that Israel has placed on Gaza will have an detrimental effect on the ordinary citizens of Gaza. A further deterioration in the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza is in no-one’s interests. Israel should therefore reverse this decision.

Muhammed Shoban

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2018 to Question 161195, whether the Government has made representations to the Government of Pakistan on the murder of Mr Muhammed Shoban on the 25 June 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field: ​We regularly raise the importance of religious tolerance with the government of Pakistan. We raise few individual cases. We focus on urging the government of Pakistan to fulfil its duty to uphold the rights of all Pakistan's citizens irrespective of religious identity. This includes raising concerns about discrimination and violence against Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. I raised the treatment of religious minorities, including the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, with the Ministry of Human Rights during my visit to Pakistan in November 2017. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon discussed the issue of freedom of religion or belief, and the protection of religious minorities with Pakistan's Interior Minister in February 2018.At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in 2017, the UK urged Pakistan to strengthen protection of minorities, including by establishing an independent National Commission for Minorities. The UK Government is supporting projects in Pakistan to promote greater tolerance and religious freedom through our Magna Carta Fund.The appointment of Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief affirms our commitment to stand up for this key global freedom.

Sayed Alwadaei

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2018 to Question HL6839, what assessments the Government has since made of the ability of Bahraini human rights defender, Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, to continue his work given the recent threats and reprisals facing his imprisoned mother-in-law, Hajer Mansoor Hassan.

Alistair Burt: ​We have received assurances from the Bahraini authorities that there have been no reprisals against the family members of Sayed Alwadaei. We understand that he has been able to continue his work in the UK.We encourage those with concerns about treatment in detention to report these to the appropriate oversight body. We urge these oversight bodies to carry out swift and thorough investigations into any such claims.

Israel: Palestinians

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to help establish an independent inquiry into the violence in Gaza on 14 May.

Alistair Burt: The Prime Minster stressed the need for Israel to carry out a transparent, independent inquiry into recent protests in Gaza when she met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in London on 6 June. We have called for this investigation to include international members.

China: Human Rights

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the human rights situation in Xinjiang.

Mark Field: We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. We raised our concerns in the UK statement at the Human Rights Council in June 2018 and with the Chinese authorities at the last UK/China Human Rights Dialogue which took place in June 2017. My officials will continue to monitor the situation in Xinjiang closely.​

Haiti: Politics and Government

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Haiti officials on the political situation in that country.

Sir Alan Duncan: The UK, as a member of the UN Security Council, strongly condemned the recent violence in Haiti and called for all parties to remain calm and to exercise restraint. Following the resignation of the Prime Minister on 14 July, there is currently no government in Haiti. Our Ambassador will call on the new Foreign Minister, when he or she is appointed.

Cameroon: Armed Forces

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of reports received on the alleged massacre of women and children by Cameroonian special forces.

Harriett Baldwin: The footage broadcast by British media on 17 July was shocking. I welcome President Biya's decision to open an urgent investigation. Any member of the Cameroonian security forces found to have been involved in human rights violations must be held accountable. There is no justification for such appalling acts. The UK's position on human rights is clear: they are universal and must apply equally to all.

Cameroon: Armed Forces

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the human rights implications of the (a) activities of the Cameroonian armed forces and (b) relationship between those activities and Boko Haram.

Harriett Baldwin: Senior officials regularly discuss the situation in Cameroon with their P3 counterparts. The British Government is absolutely clear that human rights are universal and must apply equally to all, and that all allegations of abuse must be investigated. It is also an irrefutable fact that respect for human rights is a crucial part of countering extremism, regardless of the security situation, and I have made this point clear when meeting Cameroonian Ministers.

Catalonia: Sovereignty

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Spanish counterpart on an independence referendum for Catalonia.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the Hong Kong Government's ban on the Hong Kong Special Administration Region National Party with the human rights guarantees contained in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Mark Field: The Government issued the following statement regarding the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region Government’s plan to ban the Hong Kong National Party on 17 July:“We note with concern the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government plans to prohibit the continued operation of the Hong Kong National Party. The rights to stand for election, of free speech and of freedom of association are enshrined in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.  “The UK does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and its rights and freedoms, are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected.”​

Bridges: English Channel

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral contribution of the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 20 February 2018, Official Report, column 5, whether it is his Department's policy to explore the possibility of a new fixed link between Great Britain and France.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

France: Foreign Relations

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 6 March 2018 and 8 March 2018 to Questions 130582 and 130801 on France: Foreign relations, what progress has been made in establishing the committee of wise people to explore future UK-French collaboration.

Sir Alan Duncan: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

China: Detainees

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received on significant numbers of people being detained by the Chinese authorities in re-education camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Field: We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. We are aware of credible reports of thousands of Uighurs being held in political re-education camps. UK officials recently visited Xinjiang to see the latest situation at first-hand, and found a heavy security presence on the ground. We raised our concerns in the UK statement at the Human Rights Council in June 2018 and with the Chinese authorities at the last UK/China Human Rights Dialogue which took place in June 2017. My officials will continue to monitor the situation in Xinjiang closely.​

China: Detainees

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Chinese Government on people being detained by the Chinese authorities in re-education camps.

Mark Field: We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. We are aware of credible reports of thousands of Uighurs being held in political re-education camps. UK officials recently visited Xinjiang to see the latest situation at first-hand, and found a heavy security presence on the ground. We raised our concerns in the UK statement at the Human Rights Council in June 2018 and with the Chinese authorities at the last UK/China Human Rights Dialogue which took place in June 2017. My officials will continue to monitor the situation in Xinjiang closely. ​

Pakistan: Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to page 10 of the 2016-17 Annual Report of the Conflict Stability and Security Fund, what the extent of third party monitoring was of the counter-extremism support provided in Pakistan through that fund.

Mark Field: The Pakistan Conflict Security and Stability Fund conducts monitoring and evaluation via an independent third party. This monitoring and evaluation covers the individual programmes including the counter extremism programme. Monitoring and evaluation is conducted for the programme's performance as a whole, as well as specific lines of activity.No funding provided through the Conflict Stability and Security Fund for counter extremism purposes in Pakistan has been allocated to the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Bahrain: Technical Assistance

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the delivery of technical assistance to Bahrain is conditional on that country upholding human rights.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is funding programmes to support building effective and accountable public and judicial institutions in Bahrain.Any training provided by, or on behalf of, the British Government fully complies with our domestic and international human rights obligations. Only by working with partners can we bring about the changes we would like to see.The Government monitors events in Bahrain closely if we have concerns on specific issues, we will raise these with the Bahraini authorities.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Hong Kong Special Administration Region Government on their plans to prohibit the continued operation of the Hong Kong National Party.

Mark Field: The Government issued the following statement regarding the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region Government’s plan to ban the Hong Kong National Party on 17 July:“We note with concern the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government plans to prohibit the continued operation of the Hong Kong National Party. The rights to stand for election, of free speech and of freedom of association are enshrined in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.  The UK does not support Hong Kong independence, but Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and its rights and freedoms, are central to its way of life, and it is important they are fully respected.” We have discussed this issue with the Hong Kong authorities.

Occupied Territories

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the Israeli Government's policy of restricting access to the Occupied Palestinian Territories for international visitors; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: ​We have not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities. However we remain concerned about Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement and access into and out of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and we continue to raise these wider concerns with the Israeli authorities.

Occupied Territories: Foreign Nationals

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the Israeli Government's refusal to grant residency permits and visas to foreign nationals who have made their home and livelihood in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Alistair Burt: We have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities.

Occupied Territories: Tourism

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring access to (a) Gaza and (b) Occupied Palestinian Territories for international visitors.

Alistair Burt: We have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this specific issue, however we remain concerned about Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement and access into and out of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We continue to raise these wider concerns with the Israeli authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, advises against all travel to Gaza however. Permission to access Gaza is granted by either the Israeli or Egyptian Authories. Entry to, and exit from, Gaza can be very difficult.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his representative supported the publication of a joint communique at the June OECD Ministerial Meeting.

Mark Field: ​At this year’s OECD Ministerial Council Meeting on 30-31 May, HMG was represented by The Rt Hon Mel Stride MP, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and Baroness Fairhead, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade. UK officials worked hard alongside representatives of the other 34 OECD Members to agree a joint statement. Whilst the UK was ready to join consensus on the final draft of the text issued by the Chair, the text did not meet consensus and no Ministerial Statement was adopted.

Israel: Human Rights

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on the decision of the Israeli Government not to attend the adoption of its recent Universal Periodic Review report at the UN Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have expressed our deep concern to officials from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressing that the Universal Periodic Review deserves universal respect.

Israel: Human Rights

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the Government of Israel to act upon the three recommendations that the UK made to that country at its recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

Alistair Burt: ​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made clear to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Universal Periodic Review deserves universal respect. Israeli officials have informed us that they will engage with the Universal Periodic Review process, and have noted the three recommendations made by the UK at Israel’s recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council.

Occupied Territories: Health Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2286 and the protection of medical facilities and personnel in the context of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Alistair Burt: ​We regularly raise issues relating to medical facilities and personnel with the Israeli authorities. We have stressed the need for safe and unimpeded passage for medical personnel. In particular we raise our concerns about medical facilities in Gaza, and medical permits, with the office for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The UK has announced £1.5 million in funding for International Committe of the Red Cross appeal, which will help to treat patients in 11 hospitals under pressure in Gaza

Afghanistan: Violence

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of violence in Jalalabad, Afghanistan as a result of the attack on 1 July 2018 in that city that targeted and killed members of the Hindu and Sikh communities.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide assistance to the Afghan Government to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack on 1 July 2018 that targeted and killed prominent members of that country's Hindu and Sikh communities, including Awtar Singh Khals, the only Sikh parliamentary candidate.

Mark Field: ​The UK Government condemned the 1 July attack on a group of Sikhs and Hindus in Jalalabad. On Twitter I publicly described it as "a despicable attack on Afghanistan's historic Sikh and Hindu community". Security remains an ongoing challenge in Afghanistan and violence is particularly high in eastern Afghanistan. The Daesh affiliate, IS Khorasan Province (ISKP), has claimed responsibility for the overwhelming majority of attacks in Jalalabad this year. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are committed to tackling this threat. As part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission, the UK supports the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces in its efforts to improve security for all communities in Afghanistan.

India: Nationality

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the compliance with international law of the proposals by the Assam State Government to remove Indian citizenship from Muslims in that state who cannot provide proof that they were resident in that country before 1971.

Mark Field: ​We have not made such an assessment, but our Deputy High Commission in Kolkata is closely monitoring the updating of the National Register of Citizens in Assam.

India: Nationality

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the Indian Government to ensure that Muslims resident in the state of Assam are not (a) stripped of citizenship and (b) deported after that Government completes its update of the National Register of Citizens.

Mark Field: Our Deputy High Commission in Kolkata is closely monitoring the updating of the National Register of Citizens in Assam. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of posts across India maintains a continuous assessment of human rights, including those of religious minorities, raising issues where appropriate.

Libya: Minority Groups

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Libyan Government on the rights of the Tawerga people to return to their homeland in Libya.

Alistair Burt: ​Her Majesty's Ambassador to Tripoli and diplomatic staff are doing all they can to support the UN and urge the Libyan Government to facilitate the safe return of the Tawergha Community. The British Ambassador and his predecessor have raised this issue with the Libyan Prime Minister, Fayez As-Serraj, on numerous occasions. British diplomats are also regularly in contact with the Tawergha Local Council, the Misrata Municipal Council, and the Libyan Ministry for Displaced Persons and Migrants.

Cabinet Office

Government Departments: Location

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to establish a strategy for other cities similar to that for enhancing the heart of London set out in the Government's Estate Strategy of July 2018.

Oliver Dowden: Through the 2018 Government Estate Strategy, Government has committed to working with stakeholders to implement long term improvements to make the heart of London more welcoming, secure and accessible. In the same way, many other urban centres are being supported by programmes as set out in the Government Estate Strategy. This includes One Public Estate (OPE) and Places for Growth (PfG), which support economic growth, the delivery of more accessible public services and the creation of clusters of government jobs and expertise in cities across the UK.The OPE programme is a key contributor to growth and regeneration across cities in England and fosters collaboration between local and central Government partners. For example, in York OPE is supporting public sector partners to deliver an ambitious town centre regeneration scheme by redeveloping a 72 hectare site surrounding York Railway station. This is expected to deliver up to 1500 new homes and 100,000 square metres of commercial space.To support economic growth across the UK, the PfG Programme has been established to drive delivery of the Government’s commitment to move civil service jobs, including senior roles, out of London and the South East. PfG are taking a place-based approach to inform the decision-making process around any relocation of public bodies rather than selecting locations solely on estate provision. Ultimately, we want organisations to go to cities that have existing skills and capacity to enable them to flourish.

Public Sector: Job Creation

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many new jobs in the north of England his Department estimates will to be created by 2020 as part of the One Public Estate programme.

Oliver Dowden: The One Public Estate programme collects data pertaining to new jobs created by local-authority-led One Public Estate partnerships. This includes forecasted data derived at the local level and delivered actuals, based on evidence. This data is collected quarterly from partnerships as part of the programme’s monitoring and reporting requirements. We have understood your request to cover the official regions of the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Forecasts indicate that One Public Estate projects will facilitate the creation of 28,635 new jobs by 2020 in these areas. Over 4,900 of these jobs have already been created.

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the contractors hired to deliver Conflict, Stability and Security Fund projects in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018 and; and what the value was of those contracts.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which countries were allocated funding from the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018; and what the value was of those allocations.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much Overseas Development Assistance was allocated to the Conflict, Stabilisation and Security Fund in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018 to date.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many FTE civil servants worked on the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund in (a) 2015, (b) 2016 and (c) 2017; and from which Government department those officials were sourced.

Mr David Lidington: The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) uses both Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA resources. The value of CSSF’s budget allocation from ODA resources was £498.3m in Financial Year (FY) 2016/17, £549.5m in FY 2017/18 and £597.2m in FY 2018/19. Details of where the Fund's money is spent can be found in the Fund's two annual reports which are on GOV.UK. Information on the implementing organisations contracted by the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund is included in programme summaries which are on GOV.UK. Where there might be a risk to staff safety or security, the names of implementers are not published. 116.2, 227.3 and 287 FTE civil servants worked on the CSSF respectively in 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18. Staff were sourced principally from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Department for International Development (DFID), Ministry of Defence (MOD), Home Office (HO), National Crime Agency (NCA) and Stabilisation Unit (SU). Staff from the following departments and agencies also worked on the CSSF: Government Legal Department; Department for Culture, Media and Sports; Department for Education; HM Treasury; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Transport; Department for Energy and Climate Change; Department for Work and Pensions; Ministry of Justice; HM Revenue and Customs; Metropolitan Police; Cabinet Office; National Offender Management Service; Police Scotland; Thames Valley Police; HM Prison & Probation Service; Police Sussex; Treasury Solicitor’s Department; Public Health England; Competition and Markets Authority; Maritime and Coastguard Agency; and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Civil Servants: Redundancy

Ged Killen: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants received voluntary redundancy under the 2016 terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme before those terms were quashed by judicial review and the 2010 terms were reinstated.

Mr David Lidington: 350 individuals received and accepted an offer of Voluntary Redundancy under the 2016 Civil Service Compensation Scheme terms.

Electoral Register

Marion Fellows: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that survivors of abusive and violent relationships and their new partners can register to vote without being traced by their ex-partner.

Chloe Smith: In March this year, Parliament passed government proposals for changes to the anonymous voter registration system. The changes will make it easier for an estimated 12,000 survivors of domestic abuse living in refuges to register to vote anonymously, as well as those living elsewhere.

Oral Statements

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 9.5 of the Ministerial Code, what steps he is taking to ensure that a copy of the text of an oral statement is shown to the Opposition shortly before it is made; and if he will make statement.

Chloe Smith: Upon being appointed to office, all Ministers are required to confirm they have read the Ministerial Code and the obligations it imposes upon them in their role: this includes their obligations to Parliament, which all Ministers take very seriously.

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which third party organisations were successful in the tenders for the 48 contracts issued under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Framework in 2016-2017.

Mr David Lidington: All programme summaries can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-programme-summaries

Civil Servants: Pay

Thelma Walker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to hold consultation and negotiations with Prospect, the Public and Commercial Services Union and the FDA on the Pay Remit Guidance for civil servants.

Oliver Dowden: In preparation for this year’s Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance, officials met with trade union representatives on a number of occasions. Additionally I met with the General Secretaries of the FDA, Prospect and PCS trade unions on 27th June. Departments set pay strategies appropriate to their workforce and the public services they deliver; they consult with trade unions as appropriate on these issues.

Department of Health and Social Care

Breast Cancer: Nurses

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of specialised nursing care for people with secondary breast cancer in Coventry.

Steve Brine: Coventry and Rugby Clinical Commissioning Group is not aware of any specific pressures on nursing services for breast cancer patients in the area. In December 2017, Health Education England (HEE) published its first Cancer Workforce Plan. The plan outlines HEE’s commitment to support the expansion of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) so that every patient has access to a CNS or other support worker by 2021.

Mental Health Services: Veterans

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 154717 on Mental Health Services: Armed Forces, how much of the £6.4 million allocated to the NHS England for bespoke veterans' mental health services was spent in South Yorkshire.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The geographical breakdown sought is not obtainable. However, we can confirm that in 2017/18 NHS England had a contract with Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to provide the Veteran Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) in the North region, which includes South Yorkshire. The value of this contract in 2017/18 was £806,000. Overall, approximately half of the £6.4 million allocated to NHS England in 2017/18 was spent on TILS, and half on veterans’ mental health complex treatment services.

Eating Disorders

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to introduce targets for early intervention for people with eating disorders.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government recognises that early intervention is absolutely vital and is committed to ensuring everyone with an eating disorder has access to timely treatment. For children and young people, the Government set up the first waiting times to improve access to eating disorders services for children and young people - so that by 2020/21 95% of children with an eating disorder will receive treatment within one week for urgent cases and within four weeks for routine cases. Latest figures indicate that the National Health Service is on track to meet that standard with almost 78.9% of all patients starting urgent treatment within one week and 79.9% of patients starting routine treatment within four weeks (Quarter 4 2017-2018). Source: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cyped-waiting-times/ The Government announced in 2014 that it would invest £150 million to expand eating disorder community-based care and as a result 70 dedicated new or extended community services are now either open or in development. This means at least 3,350 children and young people a year will receive swift, effective eating disorder treatment in the community.

Infant Foods

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Aptimil in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of SMA infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Hipp infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Nutramigen infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Cow and Gate infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Nannycare infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of Kendamil infant formula in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met representatives of the British Specialist Nutrition Association in each of the last five years.

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on which occasions he or Ministers of his Department have met the manufacturers of infant formula in each of the last five years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Details of all Ministerial meetings with external stakeholders are published quarterly in arrears on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings

Clinical Commissioning Groups: Disclosure of Information

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much money his Department spent from the public purse on Care Commissioning Groups obtaining transparency orders in each of the last three years.

Steve Brine: Information on how much money clinical commissioning groups have spent on obtaining transparency orders is not collected centrally.

Autism: Mental Health Services

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) boys and (b) girls with a diagnosis of autism were refused CAMHS treatment in each of the last five years.

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children with a diagnosis of autism from each ethnic background were refused CAMS treatment in each of the last five years.

Caroline Dinenage: Information on the number of children and young people with a diagnosis of autism, who have been refused child and adolescent mental health services treatment, is not collected centrally.

Breast Cancer: Surgery

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled Rebuilding My Body: Breast reconstruction in England, published by Breast Cancer Now on 18 June 2018, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the conclusions and recommendations of that report.

Steve Brine: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published updated guidance on ‘Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management’ in July 2018. Section 1.5 has a series of detailed guidelines for breast reconstruction. The guidance can be found at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101 The Breast Cancer Now report, ‘Rebuilding My Body: Breast reconstruction in England’, found evidence that patients’ access to breast reconstruction surgery is being restricted by some local health bodies. It recommends that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) adopt new guidelines, which will ensure all breast cancer patients are supported to access the breast reconstruction they need at a time that is appropriate for them. Breast Cancer Now, as the secretariat to NHS England's Breast Cancer Clinical Expert Group, will have regular engagement with NHS England who would be aware of the report and its recommendations.

Breast Cancer: Surgery

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission a new national mastectomy and breast reconstruction audit.

Steve Brine: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published updated guidance on ‘Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management’ in July 2018. Section 1.5 has a series of detailed guidelines for breast reconstruction. The guidance can be found at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng101 NHS England is continuing to work with its partners (NHS Improvement, Care Quality Commission) and others to ensure its portfolio of cancer audits is as comprehensive and representative as possible within the allocated resources. NHS England plan to hold discussions over the next six months on potential new clinical audit topics.

Brain: Tumours

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) establish a national network of brain tumour centres and (b) encourage more researchers to enter the brain tumour research field.

Caroline Dinenage: NHS England works closely with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to support cancer research centres across the country in Manchester, Oxford and Cambridge and NIHR Biomedical Research Centres at the Marsden-ICR and Manchester. On 14 May the Government announced £40 million over the next five years for brain tumour research. This should help to encourage more researchers to enter the brain tumour research field. Funding will be invested through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). We have published a NIHR Highlight Notice, which calls for applications on brain tumour research across a range of NIHR research funding programmes plus NIHR Research Training programmes. Through the NIHR we attract, develop and retain a highly skilled health and care research workforce. As part of this, NIHR training programmes were established to attract more researchers into applied and translational research. Since 2012 the NIHR has invested in excess of £5.8 million supporting seven individuals for research in the brain tumour research field. A number of NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) include research themes in brain tumour research and, included as part of these BRCs, are doctoral training programmes to bring through the next generation of research leaders.

Brain: Tumours

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his Department plans to allocate for the development of new drugs to treat brain tumours in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Dinenage: On 14 May the Government announced £40 million over the next five years for brain tumour research. Funding will be invested through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The NIHR focusses on supporting health and care research, and translating discoveries into practical products, treatments, devices and procedures. We are relying on researchers to submit high-quality research proposals in this very difficult area. To encourage such applications we have released a NIHR Highlight Notice on brain tumour research asking research teams to submit collaborative applications building on recent initiatives and investments. We are also working closely with research funding partners such as Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council, and brain tumour charities, who fund research into new scientific discoveries. We stand ready to translate these new discoveries as quickly as possible into new treatments and diagnostics for patients via the NIHR. The level of research spend in a particular area, such as the development of new drugs to treat brain tumours, will depend on the number and scale of successful funding applications.

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2018 to Question 134539 on Incinerators: Health Hazards, whether those papers been submitted for peer review; and when the results are planned to be published.

Steve Brine: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with mental health problems receive adequate practical support with (a) housing, (b) debt and (c) employment.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and others to address issues around housing, homelessness and rough sleeping that affect people with mental health problems. The Department of Health and Social Care provides funding to build supported and specialised housing - through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund - for older people and those with learning and physical disabilities, and mental ill health. In addition, from October 2018, all National Health Service and foundation trusts including mental health trusts will have a ‘duty to refer’ people at risk of homelessness to local authorities. The NHS already provides some services to people who may be experiencing the symptoms of debt problems or financial difficulties. We are aware that some general practitioner (GP) practices signpost patients to debt advice services as part of their care and some practices have arrangements in place with local Citizens Advice Bureaux and debt advice services to provide outreach support in primary care. Mental health services, including Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, may also signpost patients to debt advice services as part of their care. In January 2017, the Prime Minister announced the Government would review the practice of GPs charging patients experiencing debt issues to complete Mental Health Evidence Forms when they require medical evidence for their creditors. The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute and a range of stakeholders from the financial and debt advice sectors to undertake the review, which we will publish in due course. In October 2017, we published ‘Thriving at Work: The Stevenson / Farmer review of mental health and employers’. The review set out a compelling business case for action, with the central recommendation that all employers should adopt a set of core mental health standards to encourage an open and transparent organisational culture that supports employees’ mental health. Further to this, public sector and private sector companies with more than 500 employees should adopt a package of enhanced mental health standards to improve disclosure processes and provide tailored mental health support. The Government fully supports the review in encouraging all employers to adopt the mental health standards and we are committed to championing the review and standards. The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions are investing up to £115 million of programme funding to support the work and health agenda to enable investment in new models and to build the evidence of what works. This includes more than doubling the number of Employment Advisers in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, mental health trials and the Work and Health Innovation Fund – which is funded by contributions from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England.

General Practitioners: Fees and Charges

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effect of the General Data Protection Regulation on the income of GPs who are no longer able to charge private sector companies for the provision of patient records made at the request of patients.

Steve Brine: The General Data Protection Regulation gives individuals the right to access data free of charge except in cases where requests are manifestly unfounded or excessive. Previously the Data Protection Act (1998) permitted charges for Subject Access Requests (SARs), between £10 to £50, for the administrative cost in handling SARs. The impact on a general practice will depend on how many SARs are received, and the nature of the requests. This data is not centrally collected. The Information Commissioner’s Office is considering the potential implications that right of access requests could have on general practitioners with the British Medical Association and other primary care representatives.

Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of social prescribing as a form of secondary care for mental health patients.

Jackie Doyle-Price: NHS England is developing a framework for community mental health services across primary and secondary care this year. In doing so, NHS England will consider the evidence around the benefits of social prescribing for people with mental health needs. This will be done in the context of social prescribing as one of the key elements of a universal model of personalised care which is also currently being developed by NHS England. On 23 July 2018, the Government announced it was providing just under £4.5 million to support 23 social prescribing schemes across England. The schemes include a focus on:- Reaching out to people who may be socially isolated, for example because of mental health problems or learning difficulties;- Providing support for those impacted by health inequalities, such as transgender people or people from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds; and- Helping people with particularly complex needs who regularly access health services.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 26 of the Government's Green Paper of December 2017, Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Cm 9523, what progress has been made on recruiting 1,700 more therapists and supervisors and training 3,400 existing staff to deliver evidence-based treatments.

Jackie Doyle-Price: There have been 667 children and young people’s mental health therapists recruited and trained so far since 2016/17 towards the target of 1,700 by 2020/21. There have been 1,386 existing children and young people’s mental health therapist trained so far to deliver evidence-based treatments towards the target of 3,400 by 2020/21.

Pharmacy: Digital Technology

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to prepare the pharmacy sector for (a) digital first pharmacy services and (b) other technological change.

Steve Brine: The community pharmacy IT infrastructure is being modernised, enabling the integration of community pharmacies within the wider National Health Service. In 2016 the Quality Payments Scheme was introduced to align an element of payment to quality and to support integration. The scheme has led to a number of improvements including the roll out of NHS Mail to 11,411 pharmacies across England, enabling digital communication of patient information. Continued integration will support the delivery of digital services in future. We have also made good progress to enhance the tools pharmacy professionals have at their disposal through programmes such as the Electronic Prescription Service and access to the Summary Care Record, which is now accessible in over 95% of pharmacies.

NHS: Finance

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Individual Funding Request process.

Steve Brine: There is not one single Individual Funding Request process that allows clinicians to request treatments that are not normally commissioned by the National Health Service to be made available to them if they are deemed clinically exceptional. NHS England has a process for this for specialised services and each clinical commissioning group will have their own process for more standard services. No central review is conducted into the adequacy of the performance of the Individual Funding Request processes.

Livewell Southwest

Luke Pollard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the social enterprise Livewell South West will receive additional resource from the planned increase in funding for Agenda for Change.

Stephen Barclay: The Department, consistent with the Written Ministerial Statement (HCW5803) published on 27 June, has now published guidance on its website about the eligibility criteria for additional funding in 2018/19. Organisations are asked to respond directly to the Department and we understand that Livewell South West has applied for funding. It would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of individual applications. The Department has committed to consider all requests it receives and to confirm its decision as quickly as possible.

Cannabis: Medical Treatments

Tonia Antoniazzi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he is having with NHS England to ensure that consultants are aware of the licensing process for access to medical cannabis.

Steve Brine: The Department is working with NHS England and equivalents in the devolved administrations to ensure that cannabis-based medicinal products are sourced and supplied where a licence is granted. In the longer-term, prescribing guidance will be developed following any decision to reschedule these products. Guidance on the licensing process for access to cannabis and cannabis-based medicinal products is available on the Home Office Gov.uk website.

Eating Disorders

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the recommendations of the report Ignoring the alarms: How NHS eating disorder services are failing patients, published by the  Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in December 2017, what progress Health Education England has made on tackling the gaps in the provision of (a) education, (b) training and (c) numbers of eating disorder specialists in the NHS.

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report, Ignoring the alarms: How NHS eating disorder services are failing patients, published by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in December 2018, what progress NICE has made on including co-ordination of services in its new quality standard for eating disorders.

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report, Ignoring the alarms: How NHS eating disorder services are failing patients, published in December 2017, what steps (a) NHS Improvement and (b) NHS England have taken to (i) improve and ii) better co-ordinate eating disorder services.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government takes seriously the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PSHO) report: ‘Ignoring the alarms: how NHS eating disorder services are failing patients’. In response to the PHSO report, NHS England have convened a working group with NHS Improvement, Health Education England (HEE), the Department and other partners to address the recommendations and take them into account in planning for improvements to eating disorder services. HEE is reviewing its current education and training offer and will work with subject matter experts to scope existing evidence-based practice to inform any new education and training resources. HEE is also considering how the capacity of the existing workforce may be used more innovatively and is exploring workforce planning interventions that can increase specialism in the field of eating disorders. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has run a consultation on the quality standard on eating disorders, which included two statements aimed at improving co-ordination of care. The quality standard is currently in its final stages of internal review and is expected to be published in September 2018.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce in the forthcoming alcohol strategy a new national minimum standard of support for families affected by alcohol as called for by the Alcohol and Families Alliance.

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include in the forthcoming alcohol strategy provisions as called for by the Alcohol and Families Alliance whereby carers of people with an alcohol problem are adequately informed about carers’ rights and benefits; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: Government officials are currently exploring what should be included in the strategy and aim to publish this early next year following discussions with stakeholders. The new strategy will allow us to consider the changing landscape of alcohol use and to target vulnerable people who need support most with effective, evidence-based interventions. Understanding the needs of families or carers who support people with an alcohol dependence will be an important part of the development of the strategy and £6 million of new funding has been announced to help improve outcomes for children of alcohol dependent parents and help to tackle conflict within those families. The Government is committed to continuing to support informal carers, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing, employment and other life chances. We also remain committed to support informal carers to provide care for those they care for. That is why the Department published a cross-Government action plan of targeted work to support carers over the next two years. Further information is available at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-action-plan-2018-to-2020

Veterinary Medicine

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 17 July 2018 to Question 161987 on Veterinary Medicine, how many veterinary surgeons from (a) non-UK EU and (b) non-EU member states employed by organisations contracted to deliver veterinary services in abattoirs on behalf of the by Food Standards Agency, have left that employment since 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Brine: 339 non-United Kingdom European Union veterinary surgeons employed by organisations contracted to deliver veterinary services in abattoirs on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, have left that employment since 23 June 2016. One non-EU veterinary surgeon employed by organisations contracted to deliver veterinary services in abattoirs on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, has left that employment since 23 June 2016.

Housing: Older People

Dr David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) financial and (b) other support his Department plans to provide for (i) home adjustments and (ii) maintenance in relation to the homes of old people.

Caroline Dinenage: Aids and adaptations can greatly enhance the quality of life of older and disabled people, in addition to supporting them to be as independent as possible in their own homes. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) supports disabled, including older people, on low-incomes, to adapt their homes to make them safe and suitable for their needs. Funding had already increased year-on-year, rising from £220 million in 2015-16 to £431 million in 2017-18. The Autumn Budget 2017 provided an additional £42 million for the remainder of the 2017-18 financial year. The grant is £468 million in 2018-19 and funding will rise further to £505 million by 2019-20. An independent review of the DFG has recently completed. It assesses how the DFG is currently working, and makes evidence-based recommendations on how it could change in the future. It also considers wider adaptations issues including how the DFG might need to adapt to the changing aids and adaptations market, and whether it could support the adoption of new innovations and technology, and new designs. The Department, together with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is carefully considering the recommendations and next steps. Personal health budgets are another way the National Health Service is giving people more choice and control of the services they receive. Personal health budgets can be spent on a range of things agreed as part of a care plan, including community equipment such as aids and minor adaptations.

Antibiotics: Drug Resistance

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made trends in the number of super bugs becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Steve Brine: The English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR), run by Public Health England (PHE), found that resistance in Staphylococcus aureus has declined. From 2011/12 to 2017/18 there was a 41% decline in the number of cases reported to Public Health England; 846 cases were reported in 2017/18 compared to 1,116 in 2011/12. In 2016, Escherichia coli was the commonest cause of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and 41% were resistant to co-amoxiclav, the commonest antibiotic used to treat infections in hospitals. Almost one in five of these bacteria were resistant to at least one of other key antibiotics, though multi-drug resistance (resistance to three antibiotics) remained uncommon (less than 5%). The overall number of infections has increased over the last five years and the number of resistant infections has also increased. Similarly, Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to key antibiotics remained stable between the years 2012 and 2016, the burden of resistance, reflected in the numbers of resistant BSIs increased over time. Carbapenem resistance remains low in blood culture isolates in England although data from other countries shows how quickly resistance can rise over a relatively short time period. The 2017 ESPAUR report is available to view at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/656611/ESPAUR_report_2017.pdf

Incontinence: Surgical Mesh Implants

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the interim recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review into surgical mesh, if he will clarify the conditions that should be met ahead of the resumption of mesh procedures used to treat stress urinary incontinence.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The interim recommendations of Baroness Cumberlege’s review require that the following conditions are met:- Surgeons should only undertake operations for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) if they are appropriately trained, and only if they undertake operations regularly;- Surgeons report every procedure to a national database;- A register of operations is maintained to ensure every procedure is notified and the woman identified who has undergone the surgery;- Reporting of complications via the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency is linked to the register;- Identification and accreditation of specialist centres for SUI mesh procedures, for removal procedures and other aspects of care for those adversely affected by surgical mesh; and- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on the use of mesh for SUI are published.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the three-day strike by cleaners at Guy's Cancer Centre on the provision of services at that centre.

Stephen Barclay: The cleaning at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust is currently outsourced to two companies. The Trust understands that planned industrial action may affect an independent provider that rents space at Guy’s Cancer Centre, but this will not affect the Trust itself.

NHS: Standards

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the findings of the Nuffield Trust report entitled The NHS at 70: How good is the NHS? that the UK is a below-average performer on preventing deaths from strokes, cancer and heart attacks.

Steve Brine: The Nuffield Trust report, ‘The NHS at 70: How good is the NHS?’, as well as highlighting some of the major strengths of the National Health Service - including its efficiency, its management of some long-term conditions like diabetes and kidney diseases and the unusually good financial protection it provides the public from the consequences of ill health – also drew attention to strokes, cancer and heart attacks, as areas where improvements could be made. The NHS is working to organise acute stroke care to ensure all stroke patients have access to high quality care. Centralising stroke care into a smaller number of larger units ensures specialists are available to manage patients at all times, and provides immediate access to imaging and other investigatory facilities. NHS England is also working with all 24 specialised neuroscience centres in England to continue to roll out and expand the new thrombectomy service. Cancer is a priority for this Government and survival rates are at a record high, with rates increasing year-on-year since 2010. Around 7,000 people are alive today who would not have been had mortality rates stayed the same as in 2010. We are half way through a five-year programme to transform cancer services and remain on track to deliver on all 96 recommendations of the independent Cancer Taskforce in the Cancer Strategy for England. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention is a key theme in NHS England’s Five Year Forward View and their NHS RightCare programme, and addressing variations in outcomes from CVD is one of Public Health England’s (PHE) top priorities. In September 2017, NHS England and PHE announced a new drive to prevent heart attacks and strokes and save thousands of lives by taking a more integrated approach to cardiovascular care, urging sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) to take coordinated action to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these life-threatening conditions. The majority of STPs have identified prevention of CVD as a priority. Additionally, in 2017-18, PHE updated the Heart Age tool, which helps people work out their heart age and risk of heart attack and stroke. Over the course of 2017-18, PHE aimed to engage a further one million adults to use the tool, including targeted measures to increase its use among those aged 30 to 54.

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2018 to Question 163564, how many (a) women and (b) men by age group were detained under only section 135 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in 2016-17.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The information is not collected in the format requested. The following table shows the number of detentions under Section 135 between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2017.  AllMaleFemaleUnknownAll Ages354212134815 and under110016-17000018-34837211035-491177047050-64884642065 and over5723340Unknown8008 Source: Mental Health Services Dataset - NHS Digital Notes: 1. Counts of events and people produced from the new data sources in 2016/17 are incomplete and should not be compared to previous years. The Background Data Quality Report provides further information on these issues and is available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-act-statistics-annual-figures/mental-health-act-statistics-annual-figures-2016-17-experimental-statistics 2. A person may be detained more than once during the period so this is a count of detentions not people.

Royal Liverpool Hospital: Construction

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for (a) work resuming on the new Royal Liverpool Hospital and (b) the hospital opening.

Stephen Barclay: Officials from the Department of Health and Social Care are working closely on this matter with those from Her Majesty’s Treasury and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and of course with relevant senior staff of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust to ensure that the hospital can be completed as quickly as is possible. I visited the site of the new hospital on 18 May to meet with the senior leadership of the Trust to discuss progressing the hospital build.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to make an announcement on the roll-out of HPV vaccination for boys.

Steve Brine: The advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on whether or not to have a human papilloma virus vaccination programme for boys was published on 18 July 2018. A decision will be announced very soon.

Medical Records: Disclosure of Information

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the revised Memorandum of Understanding between his Department, the Home Office and NHS Digital on the sharing of health data for immigration purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on consulting with interested parties on the proposed revision of the revised Memorandum of Understanding between his Department, the Home Office and NHS Digital on the sharing of health data for immigration purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Jackie Doyle-Price: On 9 May 2018, the Minister of State for the Digital and the Creative Industries (Margot James MP) announced that the Government would be amending the data sharing arrangements under this Memorandum of Understanding. This was in response to the concerns raised by the Health and Social Care Select Committee around the operation of the current Memorandum of Understanding. This resulted in a significant narrowing of the data sharing arrangements. The letter from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office to the Health and Social Care Committee highlighted the interim/transitional arrangements that took effect immediately on 9 May. Officials are working with the Home Office and NHS Digital on updating the arrangements to reflect these significant changes. Prior to publishing a revised Memorandum of Understanding, NHS Digital will be sharing a draft, for discussion with interested parties during the summer.

Department for International Development

Department for International Development: Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to paragraph 88 of Chapter Two of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which resources the Government is planning to pool with EU institutions in accordance with the proposals there set out.

Alistair Burt: Any resources pooled with EU institutions in accordance with the proposals in the White Paper would be part of our commitment to spend 0.7% of UK GNI as Official Development Assistance.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2018 to Question 141795, what are the terms of engagement for the independent financial audit into DFID's project spending in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Alistair Burt: Financial audits are carried out on all individual DFID programmes operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The body carrying out the audits, and the terms of reference vary depending on the DFID programme, however all independent financial audits provide assurance to DFID that funds are spent and managed in line with agreed programme activities. The overall DFID OPTs portfolio is also subject to the regular audit cycle of DFID’s Internal Audit Department and the National Audit Office.

Gaza: Reconstruction

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent discussions she has had with international counterparts on the (a) Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism and (b) planned review of that programme.

Alistair Burt: My officials are discussing the future of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism with international counterparts, including the UN. On July 17th the UK met the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General to discuss the priorities of the planned review.

West Bank: Internally Displaced People

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what support her Department is providing to (a) victims of forcible transfer and (b) people at risk of forcible transfer in the West Bank.

Alistair Burt: The UK supports Palestinian communities at risk of forcible transfer in Area C of the West Bank through our legal aid programme, which helps residents challenge decisions in the Israeli legal system. In around 97% of the cases supported by this programme demolitions and evictions have been suspended. Additionally the UK supports nearly 500 Palestinian families living in Area C to remain on their land by improving infrastructure and enabling access to education and health services. We are currently considering how best we can further support Palestinian communities at risk of forcible transfer in the West Bank, and I will update the House once this is confirmed.

Trade Agreements: Africa

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps she has taken to ensure that the UK's future trading arrangements align with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Harriett Baldwin: We welcome African efforts to develop an African Continental Free Trade Agreement. As we leave the EU, we are seeking to replicate the effects of the EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), which are development-focused trade deals with developing countries. We also intend to allow many non-EPA developing countries to continue to benefit from tariff-free or reduced tariff access to the UK market. These arrangements will complement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, at the same time as they strengthen UK trade opportunities around the world.

Burma: Internally Displaced People

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent estimate she has made of the number of internally displaced persons within Rakhine State, Burma.

Alistair Burt: UNHCR reports that there are 128,000 internally displaced persons in Central Rakhine. Figures for northern Rakhine are difficult to gather as the Burmese government has restricted access for the UN and other agencies. The UK Government continues to push for access at every opportunity.

Gaza: Disaster Relief

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Answer 160363 on Gaza: Disaster Relief, whether difficulties with permits and access were experienced when the Emergency Medical Team was deployed to Gaza in 2014.

Alistair Burt: Members of the UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) were deployed to Gaza in 2014, through the DFID programme ‘Support to the UK International Emergency Trauma Register’. Difficulties were experienced with permits and access during the conflict; however, some of the team were able to secure access immediately after the 2014 conflict to treat 156 patients and train 364 health workers.

Gaza: Health Services

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) immediate and (b) long-term effect of the UK-MED specialist rehabilitation team cell on people injured by lower limb gunshot wounds in Gaza.

Alistair Burt: Taking into account lessons learned from previous deployments, including safety concerns for deploying UK nationals and problems with access and permits, the current Emergency Medical Team is not designed to be deployed into active conflict zones. Therefore no such assessment has been made.

Gaza: Disaster Relief

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Question 160362 on Disaster Relief, for what reasons the UK Emergency Medical Team was not deployed to Gaza.

Alistair Burt: Taking into account lessons learned from previous deployments, including safety concerns for deploying UK nationals and problems with access and permits, the current Emergency Medical Team is not designed to be deployed into active conflict zones.

Palestinians: Terrorism

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to her Department's Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority (PA), what discussions her Department has had with the PA on the PA Minister of Culture declaring March 16 as National Reading Day out of loyalty to the Martyrs.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government deplores any act of incitement to violence. Our partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and avoid actions that could incite violence or hatred. During my most recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May 2018, I personally led this year’s high level annual meeting as part of our annual dialogue with the PA where I challenged the PA on a number of issues such as incitement, though I did not raise this specific incident. The UK continues to urge the Palestinian leadership to uphold this principle of non-violence.

Palestinians: Terrorism

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions her Department has had with the PA on the commemoration on Official PA TV on 20 April 2018 of the death of Abu Jihad who was responsible for the murder of 125 Israelis and his declaration that with our skulls we are paving the path to certain victory.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government deplores any act of incitement to violence. Our partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and avoid actions that could incite violence or hatred. During my most recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May 2018, I personally led this year’s high level annual meeting as part of our annual dialogue with the PA where I challenged the PA on a number of issues such as incitement, though this allegation was not known at the time. The UK continues to urge the Palestinian leadership to uphold this principle of non-violence.

Latifa Abu Hmeid

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2017 to Question 8641, and with reference to her Department's Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority (PA), what discussions her Department has had with the PA on the honouring of Latifa Abu Hmeid by PA officials as a crown on all of our heads on 17 June 2018 as a result of her son, Islam Abu Hmeid, having murdered Israeli soldier Ronen Lyubarsk.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government deplores any act of incitement to violence. Our partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and avoid actions that could incite violence or hatred. During my most recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May 2018, I personally led this year’s high level annual meeting as part of our annual dialogue with the PA where I challenged the PA on a number of issues such as incitement, though this allegation was not raised as it was unknown at the time. The UK continues to urge the Palestinian leadership to uphold this principle of non-violence.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2018 to Question 141795, on Palestinians: Overseas Aid, what the terms of engagement are for that independent financial audit.

Alistair Burt: Financial audits are carried out on all individual DFID programmes operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The body carrying out the audits, and the terms of reference vary depending on the DFID programme, however all independent financial audits provide assurance to DFID that funds are spent and managed in line with agreed programme activities. The overall DFID OPTs portfolio is also subject to the regular audit cycle of DFID’s Internal Audit Department and the National Audit Office.

Afghanistan: Education

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the availability of education for women and girls in Afghanistan.

Alistair Burt: Afghanistan has seen huge progress in the provision of education services – the school enrolment rate has increased from under 1 million children in 2001 to over 9 million today. However, there is still a long way to go. A recent report by UNICEF and the Afghan Ministry of Education estimates that nearly half of school-age children – some 3.7 million children - are out of school. Approximately 60% of Afghanistan’s out-of-school-children are girls. There are too few schools in Afghanistan, and many children cannot access school without travelling long distances over insecure environments. Educational provision often does not take into account the particular needs of girls: for example schools in many provinces lack female teachers, sanitation facilities and boundary walls. The UK is supporting the Government of Afghanistan to improve access to education services for all – particularly girls and the most marginalised – and to improve the quality of those services. We are doing this by investing in innovative and scalable education programmes for girls, as well as technical and system-strengthening support to the Ministry of Education.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she plans to publish the first quarterly update and progress report on her Department's People for Peaceful Change project in the occupied Palestinian territories before the House rises for summer recess.

Alistair Burt: DFID is committed to ensuring the transparency of all UK official development assistance. The first annual review for this programme has been completed and submitted for publication on the Dev-Tracker website. It can take up to two months for the document to appear on the website. The first Quarterly Update will be distributed to interested Parliamentarians before summer recess.

Department for International Development: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within her Department as of 17 July 2018.

Alistair Burt: We do not hold a central record of all employees, either paid or unpaid, who have previously been Members of Parliament. As of the 17th July, we had 4140 individuals undertaking roles for DFID. A manual check on hard copy files would be required, which would take a significant and disproportionate amount of time.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2018 to Question 141795, on Palestinians: Overseas Aid, which the auditing body was that was charged with carrying out the independent financial audit.

Alistair Burt: Financial audits are carried out on all individual DFID programmes operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The body carrying out the audits, and the terms of reference for these audits vary depending on the DFID programme in operation in the OPTs, however all programmes receive full independent financial audits to provide assurance to DFID that disbursed funds are spent and managed in line with agreed programme activities. The overall DFID OPTs programme portfolio is also subject to the regular audit cycle of DFID’s Internal Audit Department and the National Audit Office.

Palestinians: Television

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to her Department’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority (PA), what discussions her Department has had with the PA on the decision by official Palestinian Authority TV to honour Habbes Bayyoud, Muhammad Nawarah, and Jawad Abu Qara, who murdered two Israeli reserve soldiers in October 2000 in an episode of Giants of Endurance, a programme screened on official PA TV on 16 June 2018.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government deplores any act of incitement to violence. Our partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) includes a commitment from the Palestinian leadership to adhere to the principle of non-violence and to tackle language and avoid actions that could incite violence or hatred. During my most recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in May 2018, I personally led this year’s high level annual meeting as part of our annual dialogue with the PA where I challenged the PA on a number of issues such as incitement. The UK continues to urge the Palestinian leadership to uphold this principle of non-violence.

Palestinians: Terrorism

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 11 May 2018 to Question 141671, whether the Palestinian Authority has made decision on whether to provide payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails directly.

Alistair Burt: The UK is not aware of any plans for the Palestinian Authority to provide direct payments to Palestinian Prisoners.

Gaza: Health Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to extend long-term assistance to Gaza’s health system in order to address the needs of patients with complex limb injuries who require specialist treatment and rehabilitation.

Alistair Burt: Our current support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) supports the delivery of surgical equipment, drugs and disposables and physical rehabilitation services to around 4,000 Gazans rendered disabled following the recent surge in violence. To help disabled people regain mobility the ICRC will also continue to support the Artificial Limb Centre in Gaza. Our support in the longer term looks to address the underlying causes of humanitarian strife and raise living standards by focussing on increasing trade and job creation, enabling greater movement and access for people and goods, and enhancing the supply of electricity and clean water. Nevertheless, the UK stands ready to provide further urgent health assistance in Gaza, if required.

Global Financing Facility

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has plans to support the the allocation of additional funding to the Global Financing Facility for Every Woman and Every Child.

Alistair Burt: At last year’s Family Planning Summit in London, we announced £30m over 3 years to enable the Global Financing Facility to pilot innovative financing mechanisms. This investment will increase domestic and private sector resources for sexual and reproductive health and rights. It will save lives and enable women and girls to thrive, helping transform their countries. Decisions about potential future support will be taken in due course.

Department for Education

Disabled Students' Allowances

Marsha De Cordova: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the £200 contribution for Disabled Students’ Allowance equipment on the take-up of that allowance on students from low income families.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Students from the lowest-income households who started their courses this year have access to the largest ever amounts of cash-in-hand support for their living costs. Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are not means-tested so applicants are not required to submit evidence of their family income. DSAs are not intended to cover study costs any student might have, nor disability-related expenditure a student would incur if they were not studying in higher education. The £200 contribution was introduced as computers are a mainstream cost for all students and it is right therefore that students eligible for DSAs should contribute towards the cost of their DSAs-recommended computer equipment.

Children: Social Services

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were referred to children’s social services on more than one occasion in the same reporting year in each of the last five years in (a) England and (b) Brighton and Hove.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were referred to children’s social services on at least one occasion in consecutive reporting years in each of the last five years in (a) England and (b) Brighton and Hove.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department does not hold the information in the format you have requested.

Children: Social Services

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how his Department incentivises local authorities' children’s services to provide early help services that can prevent problems reaching crisis point.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department sets out the expectations for how local authorities should provide effective, evidence-based services to protect and promote the welfare of children in the statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children, which was updated on 4 July 2018 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2. Working Together to Safeguard Children states that it is better to provide services addressing needs early, rather than reacting later.The department has invested nearly £200 million to support the development, testing and sharing of effective ways of supporting children who need help from children’s social care services through the Children’s Social Care Innovation programme. A number of projects have sought to provide interventions that reduce the risk of further escalation, and provide effective long-term solutions to children and families. Learning from these projects is published on the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme website at http://www.innovationcsc.co.uk/.In addition, the department has contributed £550,000 this year alone to the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF), one of the government’s What Works Centres established in 2013. This funding will support the identification and dissemination of evidence based best practice in early help. More information about the EIF can be found on its website, at http://www.eif.org.uk/.

Malnutrition: Children

Sir Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans are in place to prevent malnutrition during the school summer holidays in children eligible for free school meals.

Nadhim Zahawi: We recently announced a £2 million programme of research and pilots across the country that will explore ways of supporting children from disadvantaged families to access free enrichment activities and healthy food during school holidays.The government has taken significant steps to increase the living standards of low-income families, including introducing the national living wage, raising the personal tax allowance so that no income tax is paid on the first £11,850 of earnings and improving financial incentives to work.

Children in Care

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what advice his Department provides to local authorities on setting the criteria of who should be admitted into urgent social or foster care.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Children Act 1989 provides the framework for the English child protection system and sets the basic national threshold for statutory intervention in family life. The specific criteria are set by local authorities’ who have the overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, and are best placed to set thresholds suited to the needs of local children and families. To support local areas and professionals in discharging their responsibility, the government issues statutory guidance on ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’, which was updated earlier this month.The ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (2018) guidance is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/722305/Working_Together_to_Safeguard_Children_-_Guide.pdf.

Special Educational Needs: Inspections

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2018 to Question 155294 on Special Educational Needs: Inspections, if his Department will encourage Ofsted and HM Chief Inspector to include criteria more tailored to special schools in the new framework in September 2019 including (a) (i) parent and (ii) pupil satisfaction and (b) lower attendance expectations for poorly children.

Nick Gibb: The Department is committed to both equipping and incentivising all schools – including special schools - to improve the education of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Ofsted’s current school inspection handbook (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/725837/School_inspection_handbook_section_5-170718-v2.pdf), already provides for all school inspections, including special school inspections, to take account of the views of parents, staff and pupils using Ofsted’s Parent View system (https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/) and online questionnaires. The Department is aware that some children will have periods of unavoidable absence due to ill health. If Ofsted inspectors have concerns about attendance, they will raise them directly with school leaders giving an opportunity for any additional information to be provided, including circumstances of pupils with good reason to be absent from school.

Skilled Workers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the key skills that the UK work force will need over the next (a) 10 and (b) 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) commissioned a series of long-term projections of labour market and skills demand called ‘Working Futures’. The most recent study (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-labour-market-projections-2014-to-2024), published in 2016, covers the UK’s anticipated skills demand up to 2024. Following the closure of UKCES, the Department for Education is currently commissioning the next set of Working Futures projections. The department will also be publishing the results from the latest Employer Skills Survey this summer. The survey gathers information on the types of skills that employers need now and over the next 12 months. In addition, the Skills Advisory Panels programme is being rolled out across England. The programme is working with Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships to give them the capability and tools to produce high-quality skills analysis so that current and future skills provision better meets employer demand at the local level.

Pupils: Autism

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of educational attainment of female students with autism at (a) primary school and (b) secondary school level.

Nick Gibb: Key attainment measures have been provided in the attached tables for the past five years.



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Pupils: Autism

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) schoolboys and (b) schoolgirls with autism as their primary educational special need received a (i) permanent and (ii) fixed period exclusion in (A) Dulwich and West Norwood constituency, (B) London, and (C) England in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb: The attached tables provide the numbers of boys and girls with autism as their primary need who received permanent and fixed period exclusions from academic year 2009/10, in Lambeth and Southwark local authorities, London and England.Constituency level information is not available.



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Teachers: North West

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many qualified teachers left the state-funded sector in (a) St Helens and (b) the North West in each year since 2010.

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many qualified teachers joined the state-funded sector in (a) St Helens and (b) the North West in each year since 2010.

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the wastage rate was of qualified teachers in the state-funded sector in (a) St Helens and (b) the North West in each year since 2010.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number of entrants and leavers, plus leavers rates for qualified teachers in all state funded schools in England for the years up to November 2017 is available in Table 7a (entrants) and Table 7b (leavers) of the publication, ‘School Workforce in England’, November 2017 available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/school-workforce-in-england-november-2017. The Government recognises that there are differences on teacher recruitment and retention at a sub-national level and the Department has been doing more work to understand this. Information at local authority or regional level comparable to the national figures for 2016 and 2017 is not yet available. However, information is available on the number of qualified teachers entering and leaving the profession by region for the years 2010 to 2015. It is published as part of the statistical release, Local analysis of Teacher Workforce: 2010 to 2015. Tables 2.1a (secondary) and 2.1b (primary) show the wastage rates, by region in state funded schools for the years 2011 to 2015. Information for entrants is shown in Table 2.3a (secondary) and Table 2.3b (primary) of this publication. Comparable information at local authority level is not available. This publication can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-analysis-of-teacher-workforce-2010-to-2015.

Pre-school Education: Social Mobility

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department’s Early Years Social Mobility Peer Review Programme, published in April 2018, when he plans to publish further information on the design of the programme.

Tracy Brabin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his Department’s Early Years Social Mobility Peer Review Programme, published in April 2018, which early outcomes for disadvantaged children were considered as part of the selection process for peer reviewers.

Nadhim Zahawi: Further information will be published alongside the launch of the main phase of the Early Years Social Mobility Peer Review Programme in early autumn 2018. Peer reviewers will be selected on the basis of their expertise and experience. All peer reviewers will be expected to have an excellent understanding of services for disadvantaged children and families as well as the drivers of outcomes at the age of five.

Department for Education: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Anne Milton: As of 17 July 2018, two former hon. Members held formal paid roles and none held unpaid roles within the department.

Students: Occupational Therapy

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2018 to Question 158740, on Students: Occupational Therapy, what plans he has to include occupational therapists in the (a) development and (b) introduction of a University Mental Health Charter.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The University Mental Health Charter announced on 28 June 2018 will encourage universities to demonstrate a level of excellence in supporting students’ mental health. This will be an important feature of an institution’s offer to prospective students and their families. The Charter is being driven by Student Minds and will start to go live in 2019/20. Development, led by the sector, will begin this year and will include consultation with institutional leaders and staff from across their organisations, mental health practitioners (including occupational therapists), students’ unions and students.

Apprentices: Standards

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many apprenticeship standards have been submitted for approval in the past 18 months; and how many of those submissions have been approved.

Anne Milton: This is a matter for the Institute for Apprenticeships. I have asked its Chief Executive, Sir Gerry Berragan, to write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Apprentices: Small Businesses

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will review the 10 per cent co-investment fee for non-apprenticeship levy paying SMEs.

Anne Milton: Co-investment is an important part of our apprenticeship reforms and ensures that employers take ownership of their apprenticeship training by making a financial contribution towards it. We know that small businesses place great value on apprenticeships and are prepared to invest in them.For the smallest employers with fewer than 50 employees, the government already contributes 100 per cent of the cost of training for apprentices who are: 16 to 18 years old, 19 to 24 year old care leavers or 19 to 24 year olds with an education, health and care plan.In addition, non-levy paying employers receiving transfers from larger levy paying employers can use these transferred funds to cover 100 per cent of apprenticeship costs.

Apprentices

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to tackle reductions in level 2 apprenticeship starts since May 2017.

Wera Hobhouse: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what remedial steps the Government plans to take to tackle the declining uptake of apprenticeships since May 2017.

Anne Milton: There have been 338,400 apprenticeship starts since May 2017 of which 132,900 were on new apprenticeship standards. The fall in starts has been greatest in Level 2 while we have seen the numbers of starts on higher level standards (Level 4 and above) rise by 12.5 per cent so far this year. Starts on new better quality apprenticeships standards have increased rapidly. Over 40 per cent of individuals completing an apprenticeship are now starting on standards, compared to just 2.5 per cent this time last year. Higher quality training leads to increased productivity, at every level. The department is working with employers to make sure that they can take advantage of apprenticeships. We have already extended the amount of time employers have to spend their levy (from 18 to 24 months), and have introduced transfers, to allow employers to transfer up to 10 per cent of their annual value of levy funds to other employers and recently announced that the cap on the number of employers to whom transfers can be made has been lifted. The Institute for Apprenticeships has introduced its Faster and Better campaign to speed up and simplify the approval of standards development: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/about/faster-and-better/. 50 standards have been approved in the last three months (April-June 2018). Over 300 standards are already approved, in all sectors of the economy - with more on the way. We have run extensive communications campaigns since the reforms were introduced and will be commencing the latest phase of our ‘Get in Go Far’ marketing campaign shortly.

Workers Educational Association: Finance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills has had with ESFA officials on the position of continued transitional funding for the WEA in areas of England affected by the devolution of the adult education budget from 2019-20.

Anne Milton: From 2019-20, Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) will be responsible for commissioning and funding adult education budget (AEB) provision for learners resident in those areas, and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will be responsible for funding provision for learners resident in non-devolved areas.The exception to this are providers which meet the following criteria, which will be funded nationally by the ESFA for a transitional period of two years (academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21) following devolution of the AEB:Qualify for a residential uplift for their learning provision, andReceive more than two thirds of their income from the AEB, andPredominantly target their provision at the most disadvantaged in society.We considered an additional period of two years of national funding would be in the learners’ best interests, in order to avoid destabilising provision to vulnerable learners and to allow time for MCAs to better understand the specialist nature of the provision they deliver.The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) does not meet the above criteria and from 2019/20 will be eligible to receive its AEB funding from MCAs/GLA for learners resident in those areas, and from the ESFA for learners resident in non-devolved areas. The ESFA wrote to AEB providers in June 2018, including the WEA, to explain how AEB allocations for 2019/20 for learners resident in non-devolved areas will be calculated, in order to help their planning for devolution.When MCAs and the GLA take decisions about AEB allocations to providers from 2019/20 onwards the devolution deal readiness conditions include requirements on them to make sure:devolved funding decisions take account of the need to maintain a sustainable and financially viable 16+ provider base, andfunding and provider management arrangements, including securing financial assurance, are agreed in a way that minimises costs and maximises consistency and transparency.I have been advised by the ESFA on these arrangements and the department and ESFA officials are continuing to work closely on the implementation of devolution of the AEB.

Pre-school Education: Wandsworth

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the effect of recent changes in the level of funding for early education on the number of nursery places available for children with special educational needs in Wandsworth; and if he will make a statement.

Nadhim Zahawi: Our Early Years National Funding Formula contains an additional needs element that takes account of children with special educational needs (SEN). On top of this, we have introduced the Disability Access Fund which provides £615 a year to help children access the free entitlements for three and four year olds. We have commissioned new research from Frontier Economics to provide further data on the cost of providing early education and care, which will take into account the cost of providing childcare for children with special education needs and disabilities.For children with more complex needs, local authorities can draw on their high needs funding, which is at a record high of £6 billion across England, up from £5 billion in 2013.Since April 2017, the department has required local authorities to establish SEN inclusion funds to help providers to address the needs of individual children in receipt of the early years entitlements with SEN.The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice requires providers to have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities. These arrangements should include a clear approach to identifying and responding to SEN. In addition, the Equality Act 2010 sets out the legal obligations for local authorities to plan in advance what disabled children and young people might require and what adjustments might need to be made to prevent that disadvantage. As such, we do not specify an exact number of places for children with special educational needs. According to January 2018 early years census data, there were approximately 370 children with SEND in Wandsworth benefitting from funded early education places.Information relating to allocations to local authorities of both high needs and early years funding is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dedicated-schools-grant-dsg-2018-to-2019.

Overseas Students: Immigration

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of student finance provision for students who began their university course as an international student but were subsequently granted indefinite leave to remain while still studying.

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will bring forward proposals to enable international students who are granted indefinite leave to remain while undertaking a degree to access student loans.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Students who obtain permanent residence within the first three months of the start of the academic year can apply for student finance for the current academic year and future years, subject to meeting the normal eligibility criteria. Generally, to meet the eligibility requirements for student support, a student should be resident in England, have ‘settled’ status or a recognised connection with the UK and have been a resident of the UK and Islands (Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) for the three years prior at the start of the course. Residence in the UK and Islands must not have been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.

Workers Educational Association: Finance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies on criteria for transitional funding in the first two years for areas having a devolved adult education budget of the WEA's latest impact report on its disadvantaged students.

Anne Milton: From 2019/20, Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) will be responsible for commissioning and funding Adult Education Budget (AEB) provision for learners resident in those areas, including disadvantaged learners, and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) will be responsible for funding provision for learners resident in non-devolved areas.The exception to this are providers which meet the following criteria, which will be funded nationally by the ESFA for a transitional period of two years (academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21) following devolution of the AEB:qualify for a residential uplift for their learning provision, andreceive more than two thirds of their income from the AEB, andpredominantly target their provision at the most disadvantaged in society.There are no plans to change this criteria.Providers who do not meet this criteria, such as the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), are able to work with the MCAs and GLA to support them to deliver the skills and learning needed at a local level to meet their strategic skills plans. If the WEA wish to be considered for AEB funding in devolved areas then they can demonstrate the ways in which they can contribute to meeting skills needs locally with the MCAs and GLA including sharing the findings of their latest impact report on disadvantaged students.

Teachers: Pay

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he is providing guidance to head teachers and school leaders on salary levels for the forthcoming academic year in the absence of the publication of the 2018 School Teachers' Review Body report; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) has recently submitted its 28th Report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which makes recommendations on the 2018 pay award. The Government will now consider carefully the report from the STRB and its recommendations. The Department will publish the report and our response as soon as possible.

School Teachers' Review Body

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish his response to the recommendations in the 2018 report of the School Teachers' Review Body before the summer recess.

Nick Gibb: The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) has recently submitted its 28th Report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which makes recommendations on the 2018 pay award. The Government will now consider carefully the report from the STRB and its recommendations. The Department will publish the report and our response as soon as possible.

School Teachers' Review Body

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to publish his response to the recommendations in the 2018 report of the School Teachers' Review Body.

Nick Gibb: The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) has recently submitted its 28th Report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which makes recommendations on the 2018 pay award. The Government will now consider carefully the report from the STRB and its recommendations. The Department will publish the report and our response as soon as possible.

Pupils: Mental Health

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the mental well-being of young people waiting for their GCSE results.

Nick Gibb: It is up to schools to decide what continuing support to offer students waiting for results during the summer holiday. Where young people or parents are concerned about mental wellbeing they can seek support from providers of online, telephone and face-to-face mental health and wellbeing support. Local NHS services can provide information and advice on sources of support, including that offered by local authority and voluntary and community sector providers.

GCSE

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support young people who wish to take more vocational GCSEs.

Nick Gibb: Schools are responsible for designing a broad and balanced curriculum that will allow students to fulfil their potential and move on to the next stage of education and training.To support breadth in the curriculum, the Department has designed school accountability measures that recognise academic qualifications (GCSEs) as well as technical and vocational qualifications (primarily Technical Awards). The Progress 8 measure has an academic core, but also rewards pupils’ study of up to three approved Technical Awards.The Department has reviewed the list of qualifications that count towards performance tables to ensure that all approved qualifications, including Technical Awards, are high quality and support students’ progression.Technical Awards are high quality level 1 and 2 qualifications that provide 14-16 year olds with applied knowledge and practical skills not usually acquired through GCSEs. There are 57 Technical Awards currently approved for inclusion in the 2020 performance tables and for teaching from September 2018. To be included in performance tables, qualifications must meet strict requirements regarding their size, the use of external assessment and synoptic assessment, and their grading structure.

Mathematics: Education

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153838, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 maths progress measure were from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153840, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 maths progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds made positive progress in maths in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153838, how many students in scope for the 16-18 maths progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds did not enter an approved maths qualification in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153842, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 English progress measure were from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153843, how many students in scope for the 16-18 English progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds did not enter an approved English qualification in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153844, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 English progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds made positive progress in English in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153841, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 maths progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds achieved a grade 4 in maths by the end of 16-18 study in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 153845, how many children classified as in scope for the 16-18 English progress measure from (a) disadvantaged and (b) non-disadvantaged backgrounds achieved a grade 4 in English by the end of 16-18 study in 2016-17 by each prior attainment grade.

Nadhim Zahawi: The number of students in scope for the 16-18 English and maths progress measures are published as part of official Department for Education statistics. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2016-to-2017-revised. The main text can be found in SFR03/2018, Section 5.These statistics feature breakdowns by prior attainment groupings and disadvantage status. As the published data only shows the average progress point score, we have expanded on the published data by adding in the number of students that achieved a grade 4 or above as well as adding the number of students that made positive progress.The English and maths progress measure is based on achievement of GCSEs and of approved stepping stone qualifications. These stepping stone qualifications include functional skills, free standing maths, English for speakers of other languages and AQA use of maths.Each student’s exam results are assigned a capped point score. The point scores range from 0 to 8 points, depending on the type of qualification taken and the grade achieved by the student. For example, GCSE points range from 1 point for a grade G up to 8 points for an A* grade. Stepping stone qualifications do not attract as many points as GCSEs and typically fall between GCSE grades on the points scale. For example, a level 1 functional skill qualification is equal to 2.5 points. A fail in any qualification is worth 0 points, and students that do not enter any approved exams during 16-18 study automatically score -1 for the progress measure[1]. Information on how grades are assigned point scores can be found in the 16 to 18 technical guidance.There is no data (N/A) for prior attainment scores 0.8 and 1.7 in English because there are currently no qualifications assigned these scores. 



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Pupils: Autism

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the number of children who have an autism diagnosis who are home schooled.

Nadhim Zahawi: The department does not hold information on the number of children who have an autism diagnosis who are home schooled.Information on the number of children with statements of special educational needs (SEN) and education, health and care (EHC) plans only, where educational arrangements made by parents in accordance with Section 7 of the Education Act 1996 is available in the publication “Statements of SEN and EHC plans: 2018”, are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statements-of-sen-and-ehc-plans-england-2018.This information cannot be broken down by type of need.

Pupils: Autism

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness of Applied Behaviour Analysis in relation to autistic students and (b) effect of that analysis on the mental wellbeing of those students.

Nadhim Zahawi: Autism is a spectrum condition where children have a range of strengths and difficulties. There is no well-founded research to show that any one intervention for children with autism (such as Applied Behaviour Analysis, TEACCH or Options/Son Rise) is more effective than all the other interventions or which interventions are best for which children on the spectrum. The government believes that intervention decisions should be taken by professionals locally, in consultation with parents and young people, after a thorough assessment of the child or young person’s needs.The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system as a whole is constructed to ensure that children with autism and with all other types of need are identified, understood and supported appropriately. Local authorities and education providers are expected to consult parents and children themselves and to review provision regularly. It is this overarching framework which is of fundamental importance in promoting the progress, and also the wellbeing of children with autism.

Children: Day Care

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of children who are eligible for 30 hours free childcare in Hove constituency.

Nadhim Zahawi: The government set out in the 2015 Spending Review that nationally we expect 390,000 children to be eligible for 30 hours free childcare. This figure is derived from national survey data taken in January and is an average across the year. Estimates at a regional and local authority level are not available due to the relatively small population that we are estimating within sub national geographies.A parent is required to check their eligibility for 30 hours via the childcare service. If eligible, the parent will be given an 11 digit code which they must then take to their chosen childcare provider before they can take up their 30 hours place. We publish termly experimental statistics showing the number of codes issued and the number of children in a place. The most recent publication showed that 1,893 30 hours codes were issued for eligible children in Brighton and Hove for the summer term, and that 1,933 children were in a 30 hours place. The full publication – including a local authority level breakdown – is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/30-hours-free-childcare-summer-term-2018.As we move in to the second year of delivery, we will continue to publish Management Information on the number of codes issued for 30 hours. This will be available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/30-hours-free-childcare-eligibility-codes-issued-and-validated. The most recent publication on 12 July shows that 950 codes have been issued in Brighton and Hove for the start of the next academic year.

Spring Consortium: Finance

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support his Department provides to the Spring Consortium; and what the set up costs were of that Consortium.

Nadhim Zahawi: Spring was a consortium consisting of Deloitte, Mutual Ventures, and the Innovation Unit who were formed to perform the role of delivery partner for the department’s children’s social care Innovation Programme. The contract started on 5 June 2014 and ended 31 March 2018. The total cost of the contract was £12,398,096.52.

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support Partners in Practice has provided to each local authority to assist the setting up of Trust models or Community Interest Companies with regard to local authority children's services departments.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Partners in Practice programme includes one Community Interest Company, Achieving for Children (AfC) and one independent trust, Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST). No funding has been provided from the Partners in Practice programme to assist these local authorities with the setting up of these arrangements, however, Doncaster did receive some support and funding from the department.DCST was established in 2014 with £2.9 million funding from the department. DCST became a Partner in Practice in March 2018 and were awarded up to £1,054,872 to develop a new model of support for children and young people experiencing neglect, particularly adolescents.AfC was established in 2014 to provide services for the London Boroughs of Richmond and Kingston. AfC was set up independently from the department and the department did not contribute to its set up. They have been a Partner in Practice since 2016 and were awarded up to £7,826,346 to develop further their service delivery model and support other local authorities.

Children: Social Services

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the long-term value of innovation projects in respect of local authority children's services departments.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Department for Education is evaluating the impact and long-term value of the £200 million Innovation Programme. In February this year, we published the evidence we have to date announcing the seven key features of practice and seven outcomes that emerged as the strongest features from the evaluation of Round One. Our assessment to date shows that these seven features of practice and outcomes are those which, when implemented effectively, can support and drive real change for children’s social care. They can be viewed at the following link: http://innovationcsc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3.-Seven-features-of-practice-and-seven-outcomes.pdf. We are continuing to test the impact of these seven features of practice and outcomes with projects in Rounds Two and Three through a robust independent evaluation. We are also supporting other children’s services departments to scale and spread the learning we have to date. For example; Hertfordshire’s successful ‘’Family Safeguarding’ project is extending their model to Luton, Peterborough, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire in Round Two.

Apprentices: Management

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the increase in management apprenticeship starts since May 2017 on the takeup of apprenticeships at other levels.

Anne Milton: The rise in numbers of apprenticeship starts at higher levels (4 and above) is good news - showing a healthier balance across all levels, helping people progress to higher skills. 90 per cent of starts remain at levels 2 and 3.The apprenticeship system has deliberately been designed to be employer-led. Employers are best placed to understand their own skills needs and to choose the apprenticeships to develop their own talent – whether that involves recruiting new people or re-training and upskilling existing staff.

T-levels: Public Consultation

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will increase the length of time for responses to Ofqual’s T Level consultation.

Anne Milton: Ofqual is an independent body. Arrangements for consultations carried out by Ofqual do not fall within ministerial control.Ofqual has a statutory duty to consult on the conditions they intend to set for accreditation of technical qualifications and is aligning its arrangements with the timetable for Invitations to Tender for the first wave of technical qualifications, to ensure that potential bidders are aware of the Ofqual requirements in preparing their bids.Ofqual has already held a series of pre-consultation events to test the potential changes to their conditions with stakeholders. Throughout the consultation period Ofqual is also running a series of consultation events with education providers to provide further opportunities for them to comment on the consultation and have their views heard.

Mature Students

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the decrease in the number of mature students applying to university in 2018-19.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The rise in the entry rate of 18 year olds to full-time university every year since 2012, and a total proportional increase of 20% between 2012 and 2017, means that there is a reduced pool of suitable qualified mature applicants to enter in subsequent years. It is also important to note that a large proportion of mature applicants normally apply for places later in the year.The Universities and College Admissions Service plan to publish insights about the most important factors influencing the application choices of mature students later this year.Studying later in life can bring enormous benefits for individuals, the economy and employers. We are therefore taking a number of steps to support mature students and allow them to access and succeed within higher education.In our first guidance to the Office for Students (OfS) (published 28 February 2018), which sets out our priorities for access and participation plans for 2019/20, we have asked the OfS to encourage higher education providers to consider the recruitment and support of mature learners.We are also removing barriers to accelerated courses. Evidence shows that accelerated courses appeal particularly to mature students who want to retrain and enter the workplace more quickly than a traditional course would permit.

Young People: Unemployment

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps is he taking to help reduce the numbers of 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training.

Anne Milton: The government has raised the participation age to make sure that all young people are supported to continue their education until at least age 18, and invested £7 billion during academic year 2017/18 so there is a place in education or training for every 16 to 19 year old.Local authorities (LAs) have statutory duties to identify and track the participation of 16 and 17 year olds, supporting those not participating to do so and making sure that there is sufficient, suitable education and training provision to meet their needs. The September Guarantee places a further duty on LAs to ensure that all year 11 pupils (and year 12 pupils on one year courses) receive an offer of a place in education/training for the following September. It aims to ensure that all young people, regardless of what they achieved in school, understand that there are opportunities that will help them to progress, and to ensure that they get the advice and support they need to find a suitable place.A range of provision is available for young people aged 16 to 24 to equip them with the skills and experience they need to progress. This includes Traineeships which provide unemployed young people with employability training, work experience and English and maths; and Supported Internships which offer tailored support for young people aged 16 to 25 who have special educational needs and disabilities. In addition, young people aged 19 to 23 are funded to gain a first full level 2 or 3 qualification; English and maths training is funded for young people who have not achieved a level 2 standard; and a range of employability training is available to support young people who are unemployed into work.

Drama: GCSE

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) students and (b) students eligible for free school meals studied GCSE drama in each year since 2012.

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students by ethnic group studied GCSE drama in each year since 2012.

Nick Gibb: The number of pupils, in state-funded schools, who at the end of Key Stage 4 entered into GCSE (or equivalent) drama, between 2011/12 – 2016/17 and were eligible for free school meals (FSM), are provided in the table below:The number of pupils[1], in state-funded schools, at the end of key stage 4, who entered into GCSE (or equivalent) drama[2] , between 2011/12 – 2016/17[3], who were eligible for FSM[4]Academic year GCSE Drama EnteredTotal pupils enteringTotal entrants as % of all pupilsEntrants who were eligible for FSM% of entrants that were eligible for FSM2011/12[5]62,64811.27,39011.82012/1362,09110.97,58212.22013/14[6]62,68411.27,84912.52014/15[7]63,05911.47,71712.22015/1661,08011.37,04511.52016/1755,73910.66,39611.5 The number of pupils who entered GCSE (or equivalent) drama, split by ethnicity, can be found in the attached table. [1] Total number of entries include pupils who were absent, whose results are pending and results which are ungraded or unclassified.[2] Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once and only one entry is counted in these circumstances. Prior to 2014, best entry discounting, where the pupil’s best result is used was in place in performance tables. From 2014 onwards, first entry rules were introduced, where a pupil’s first entry in that subject is used in performance tables. For more information on discounting and early entry, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-stage-4-qualifications-discount-codes-and-point-scores.[3] All figures are based on final data so may have small differences from total entries figures published in the department’s statistical release.[4] FSM eligibility is taken from the school census for that academic year.[5] Figures for 2011/12 are based on GCSE entries only and does not include equivalents. Caution should be used when comparing these figures to later years.[6] In 2013/14, two major reforms were implemented which affect the calculation of key stage 4 performance measures data: 1) Professor Alison Wolf’s Review of Vocational Education recommendations which: restrict the qualifications counted; prevent any qualification from counting as larger than one GCSE; and cap the number of non-GCSEs included in performance measures at two per pupil, and 2) an early entry policy to only count a pupil’s first attempt at a qualification, in subjects counted in the English Baccalaureate; this new rule is only implemented with regard to English Baccalaureate subjects this year and will be expanded to apply to all subjects in 2014/15.[7] From 2014/15, early entry policy, under which only a pupil’s first attempt at a qualification is counted in performance measures, is extended to all subjects.



165482_165484_Ethnicity_GCSE_Drama
(Excel SpreadSheet, 26.12 KB)

Drama: GCE A-level

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) students and (b) students eligible for free school meals studied A level drama in each year since 2012.

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students by ethnic group studied A level drama in each year since 2012.

Nick Gibb: The Department has published the number of students entering A level drama, split by free school meal (FSM) eligibility and ethnicity, from 2011/12 – 2016/17.[1] In 2015/16 figures only include students who were included in the ‘best 3 A levels’ measure. From 2016/17, figures cover exam results achieved in all years of 16-18 studies (up to three years) and inclusion in the 'best 3 A level' measure was no longer used in the methodology, resulting in more students being included and correspondingly higher rates of entry. The total number and percentage of students entering A level drama in each year is provided below, as well as the percentage of entrants into each subject who were eligible for FSM.2 Figures split by ethnicity are provided in the attached file.[2] Students, by FSM eligibilityYear A Level Drama Entered3Total studentsentering4,5% of all A levelstudents who entered6Entrants that wereeligible for FSM% of entrants that wereeligible for FSM62011/1213,2005.06274.82012/13712,0084.65844.92013/14711,3724.46005.32014/15711,5174.36615.7 Year A Level Drama Entered3Total studentsentering4,5% of all A levelstudentswho entered6Entrants that wereeligible for FSM% of entrantsthat wereeligible for FSM62015/1689,4262.94524.8 Year A Level Drama Entered3Total studentsentering4,5% of all A levelstudents who entered6Entrants that wereeligible for FSM% of entrants that wereeligible for FSM62016/1710,5273.34914.7  [1] For 2010/11 – 2015/16 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-level-attainment-by-pupil-characteristics. For 2016/17 - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2016-to-2017-revised (open the ‘A level exam results and A level and vocational participation csv’ and then the ‘A level subjects by characteristics’ file).[2] The methodology through which a student’s FSM eligibility and ethnicity are identified was changed in 2016/17. Up to 2015/16 a student’s FSM/ethnicity was taken from their census record three years prior to the academic year the figures are reported for. In 2016/17 a student’s FSM/ethnicity is taken from the census record of their final year of key stage 4 study (normally, three years prior). Due to this change, 2016/17 figures can not be compared to earlier years. FSM eligibility and ethnicity in key stage 4 is taken from the census record for that academic year. Students who attended independent schools (that do not complete the census) will not have FSM or ethnicity data and are therefore classified as ‘unknown’.[3] Figures are based on final data, except for 2015/16 and 2016/17 which are based on amended data.[4] Students at the end of their 16-18 study. From 2011/12 – 2016/17 only students included in the ‘best 3 A levels’ measure are included. From 2016/17, all students are included.[5] Where qualifications taken by a student are in the same subject area and similar in content, ‘discounting’ rules have been applied to avoid double counting qualifications.[6] The percentage of all A level students entering each subject from 2010/11 – 2014/15 are based on students entered for A levels. From 2015/16 these figures are based on students entered for AS and A levels, resulting in a much bigger cohort. This artificially reduces the percentage in comparison to previous years and therefore comparisons between the percentages of 2015/16 and 2016/17 and earlier years can not be done.[7] Figures from 2012/13 to 2014/15 cover students at the end of advanced level study who were entered for at least one A level, applied single award A level, applied double award A level or combined A/AS level in the reporting year. Figures for earlier years cover students who were entered for at least one A level, applied single award A level, applied double award A level or combined A/AS level in the summer of the reporting year.[8] Figures for 2015/16 onwards cover students at the of advanced level study who were entered for at least one A/AS level, applied single A/AS level, applied double A/AS level or combined A/AS level during their 16-18 study. As a result there has been a large increase in the number of A level students since 2016 and therefore figures are not directly comparable to earlier years.



165483_165486_A_Level_Drama_by_Ethnicity
(Excel SpreadSheet, 22.91 KB)

Free School Meals

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) GSCE level and (b) A-level students were eligible for free school meals in each year since 2012.

Nick Gibb: The Department publishes the number of pupils at the end of key stage 4, who are eligible for free school meals (FSM), in its characteristics statistical release, available to view here:[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-gcses-key-stage-4. The Department published the number of A level students, at the end of their 16-18 study in 2016/17, who were eligible for FSM, in its statistical release.[2], [3] The number of A level students at the end of their 16-18 study, who were eligible for free school meals from 2011/12 – 2015/16 are:[2]Academic year[4],[5],[6]Number of A level students eligible for free school meals2011/1214,1892012/1315,0202013/1415,6052014/1516,8562015/16[7]13,348  [1] For 2014/15 – 2016/17 select the ‘revised’ publication from the top of the page, open the ‘characteristics national tables’ then select tab ‘table CH1’. The ‘number of eligible pupils’ column for the ‘FSM’ row provides the required figure. For 2011/12 – 2013/14 select the relevant ‘attainment by pupil characteristics’ link (half way down the page) and open the ‘national and local authority tables’, open tab ‘table 1’ and take the ‘number of eligible pupils’ from the ‘FSM’ row.[2] FSM status in 16-18 study is based on the students eligibility in their final year of key stage 4 study. The methodology through which student’s FSM eligibility is identified was changed in 2016/17. Up to 2015/16 a student’s FSM was taken from their census record three years prior to the academic year the figures are reported for. In 2016/17 a student’s FSM is taken from the census record of their final year of key stage 4 study (normally, three years prior). Due to this change, 2016/17 figures can not be compared to earlier years. FSM eligibility in key stage 4 is taken from the census record for that academic year.[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2016-to-2017-revised - open the ‘A level exam results and A level and vocational participation csv’ link, open the ‘performance measures by characteristics’ file and then filter column E for ‘FSM eligibility’, column F for ‘eligible for FSM’, column G for ‘A level’ and then use the figure for ‘number of students’.[4] Figures based on final data. Figures for 2015/16 and 2016/17 are based on revised data.[5] Figures from 2012/13 to 2014/15 cover students at the end of advanced level study who were entered for at least one A level, applied single award A level, applied double award A level or combined A/AS level in the reporting year. Figures for earlier years cover students who were entered for at least one A level, applied single award A level, applied double award A level or combined A/AS level in the summer of the reporting year.[6] Figures for 2015/16 onwards cover students at the of advanced level study who were entered for at least one A/AS level, applied single A/AS level, applied double A/AS level or combined A/AS level during their 16-18 study. As a result there has been a large increase in the number of A level students since 2016 and therefore figures are not directly comparable to earlier years.[7] In 2015/16 the figures are only based on students included in the ‘best 3 A levels’ measure. In all other years, all students are included.

Apprentices: Taxation

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the Government will allow large employees to pass a greater proportion of their Apprenticeship Levy vouchers on to their supply chain subcontractors.

Anne Milton: Employers that pay the apprenticeship levy access their apprenticeship funds by opening an apprenticeship service account.Through this account, employers can transfer up to 10 per cent of their annual funds to any number of other employers, including employers in their supply chain. We will keep the 10 per cent transfer limit under review. We encourage all employers to use the opportunity to transfer this sum.

Children: Day Care

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the commercial sustainability of childcare providers in the (a) private, (b) volunteering and (c) independent early education sector.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of childcare providers in the (a) private, (b) voluntary and (c) independent early education sector.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current levels of funding for the 30-hours free childcare policy.

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of Government funding for the 30 hours free childcare policy.

Nadhim Zahawi: By 2019-20 we will be spending around £6 billion on childcare support – a record amount. This includes around £1 billion extra a year to deliver 30 hours of free childcare and fund the increase in hourly rates that we introduced in April 2017.Our average funding rates are based on the department’s ‘Review of Childcare Costs’ which was described as “thorough and wide ranging” by the National Audit Office. The review looked at both current and future cost pressures.The latest Ofsted data from March 2018 showed that the number of non-domestic providers has remained stable. More than 340,000 children have benefitted from our 30 hours offer over its first year, and the vast majority of providers have increased the number of free hours available to parents.We continue to monitor both the implementation of 30 hours and delivery costs. We have recently commissioned new research to provide us with further robust and detailed data of the costs of delivering childcare for under five-year-olds using a representative sample of early years providers.

Universities: Hate Crime

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has estimated the number of hate crimes reported on university property in the 2016-17 academic year.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The government takes all forms of hate crime extremely seriously. There is no place in our society - including within higher education – for hatred or any form of harassment, discrimination or racism. Information on the number of hate crimes on university property in the 2016-17 academic year is not held centrally. The Universities UK Harassment and Hate Crime Taskforce, which was set up in September 2015 at the government’s request, makes a number of recommendations on tackling harassment and hate crime on campus, including on improving reporting rates and mechanisms for disclosure in higher education providers. These include, that relevant internal and external support should be signposted, and that reporting procedures should be centralised, accessible, and allow for anonymity if preferred, as well as enabling accurate data to be captured to determine the scale of a problem and track year on-year trends. The government expects higher education providers to take these recommendations seriously and to have robust policies and procedures in place to investigate and address hate crime. To support providers in implementing the Taskforce’s recommendations, the Office for Students is supporting and evaluating over 100 safeguarding projects to the value of £4.5 million. This includes 63 projects to improve responses to hate crime and online harassment on campus, and 11 to tackle religious-based hate crime.

Children: Day Care

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information his Department holds on which local authorities have provided business rate relief to private, volunteering and independent childcare providers.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which local authorities have provided business rate relief to private, voluntary and independent childcare providers.

Nadhim Zahawi: The information requested is not held centrally. Local discounts are a matter for individual authorities.

Children: Day Care

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to improve the recruitment and retention of childcare professionals.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to help increase rates of (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the childcare profession.

Nadhim Zahawi: In March 2017 we published the Early Years Workforce Strategy which set out how government will work with the sector to help employers attract, retain and develop early years staff: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/596884/Workforce_strategy_02-03-2017.pdf.We have made good progress in delivering the commitments in the strategy. This includes consulting on new criteria to strengthen level 2 qualifications to ensure practitioners have a firm foundation to progress up to level 3 and beyond. We have also taken steps to improve careers advice by upskilling Department for Work and Pensions job coaches to update their knowledge on careers in the sector, and have supported the work of the Education and Employers Charity and Tinies Childcare to promote the sector through their careers and engagement activity in schools. Through a voluntary and community sector grant we have also funded the establishment of an online directory with information on early years training and qualifications.

Ministry of Justice

Women's Centres

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women were served by each women's centre in each year between 2010 and 2017.

Edward Argar: This information is not collected centrally and is only available at disproportionate cost. Women’s centres offer support to women with a wide range of issues and needs, not all of whom have been referred by or have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

Offenders: Females

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria his Department will use to assess the success of the review of current rules regarding release on temporary licence in the Female Offenders Strategy, published in June 2018.

Edward Argar: The latest evidence indicates that increased use of ROTL for suitable offenders is linked to a small but statistically significant reduction in rates of proven reoffending and frequency of reoffences. The evidence also shows that compliance rates with ROTL are very high. The criteria for success in improving the use of ROTL will be developed alongside the policy but the objective is to help to reduce reoffending whilst maintaining high compliance.

Offenders: Females

Imran Hussain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the £5 million of funding announced in the Female Offender Strategy for community provision for women will come from (a) additional resources or (b) the existing Departmental budget.

Edward Argar: I can confirm the £5m figure announced in the Female Offender Strategy will be funded through the Ministry of Justice’s existing departmental budget and additional funding allocated to the Home Office in the Spring Budget 2017 to support victims of domestic abuse.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans he has to review the rules governing the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the the forthcoming victims strategy addresses the concerns raised by victims about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority of (a) same roof and (b) rules on access to the compensation scheme by people with unspent convictions.

Edward Argar: We committed to look at concerns about rules of the statutory Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme as part of the Department’s work to develop a strategy for victims. The strategy will be published this summer.

Prisoners: Dementia

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidelines his Department has issued to (a) private and (b) state-run prisons on the (i) treatment and (ii) accommodation of prisoners with a diagnosis of dementia.

Edward Argar: Governors and directors of private prisons are guided by the mandatory actions outlined in Prison Service Instruction 06/2016 on Adult Social Care. Guidance entitled “Hidden disabilities: Dementia - Essential guide for prison officers” was issued to prisons by the then National Offender Management Service in 2011 and revised in 2013. More recently, Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service has issued the Models for Operational Delivery (MODs), which are six best-practice toolkits that underpin transformation of the male prison estate to all governors of public sector prisons and all directors of private sector run prisons. The MOD for older prisoners gathers together key evidence, relevant literature and good practice examples from across the estate to aid governors in their planning, so that they can cater for the needs of older prisoners, including those with dementia, or at risk of developing dementia. The MOD was developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Prison Reform Trust, Resettlement and Care for Older ex-Offenders and Prisoners (RECOOP) and the Association of Members of the Independent Monitoring Boards.

Small Claims

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 12 July to Question 161536, whether the Government plans to provide additional (a) staff and (b) resources to respond to a potential increase in the number of claims going to trial in the small claims track as a result of proposed changes to the small claims limit.

Lucy Frazer: The vast majority of road traffic accident related personal injury claims currently settle pre-court, and there is no reason to suggest that this will change following implementation of the reforms. In addition, we are working with stakeholders from across the sector to develop help and guidance to support litigants in person when the new rules are implemented in April 2020. This includes the introduction of a new accessible pre-court IT platform which will enable genuinely injured claimants to bring forward and settle their claims quickly and effectively. Information on the potential impacts of the reforms, including on HMCTS, is provided in the Impact Assessment published 20 March 2018. The Impact Assessment is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/720954/whiplash-impact-assessment.pdf.

Small Claims

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has estimated the cost to the insurance industry of an increase in claims tried using the small claims track as a result of proposed changes to the small claims limit; and if he will make a statement.

Lucy Frazer: The Government proposal to increase the small claims track limit, for road traffic accident related personal Injury claims to £5,000 and for all other personal injury claims to £2,000, is intended to reduce the costs associated with this type of civil litigation. The Government published a validated impact assessment for the measure alongside the Civil Liability Bill on 20 March 2018. It contains analysis, data and assumptions including both the estimated costs and savings to all sectors, including the insurance industry, arising from the increases to the small claims track. The Impact Assessment is available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/720954/whiplash-impact-assessment.pdf.

Post-mortems

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's guidance on the practice of second post-mortems in accounting for recent technological advances.

Edward Argar: The Chief Coroner, who is responsible for issuing guidance to coroners, intends to issue revised guidance on the practice of second post-mortems later this year. This will replace existing guidance (Home Office Circular 30/1999 http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20040722015642/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/hoc9930.html).

Prisoners

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 163103 on Prisoners, whether he has made an assessment of the possible effect on levels of poverty on projected prison population numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Rory Stewart: I have made no such assessment.

Prisoners' Transfers: Males

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many male prisoners whose security category is D (eligible for open prisons) are awaiting transfer to an open prison in Category (a) B and (b) C Prisons in England and Wales.

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many female prisoners whose security category is D (eligible for open prisons) are awaiting transfer to an open prison in Category (a) B and (b) C Prisons in England and Wales.

Rory Stewart: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost as it would be necessary to contact every male category B and C prison and every closed female prison.

Suicide

Graham P Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the number of suicides recorded by the Coroners Office in each district in each of the last 10 years.

Graham P Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many deaths attributed to the use of recreational drugs have been recorded by the Coroners Office in each district over the last 10 years.

Edward Argar: The Ministry of Justice collects annual data, from each coroner area, on the number of inquest conclusions recorded which are available at:www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/706047/coroners-statistics-2017-csvs.zip. These include conclusions of suicide and drug/alcohol deaths but do not distinguish between drug and alcohol deaths. We do not collect data on the type of drugs involved in the death.

Young Offenders: Ethnic Groups

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of children in the secure estate were from BAME backgrounds in the last 18 months; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Argar: The information requested is in table 1 below. Table 1. Number and proportion of BAME under 18 children and young people in custody, December 2016 to May 2018 Dec-16Jan-17Feb-17Mar-17Apr-17May-17Jun-17Jul-17Aug-17Sep-17Oct-17Nov-17Dec-17Jan-18Feb-18Mar-18Apr-18May-18BAME young people in custody361385384377412415406416405397408400394374385429452428% BAME of total under-18 custodial population (excluding unknowns)44%45%45%44%46%45%44%45%46%45%45%45%46%43%45%47%49%49%

Ministry of Justice: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Lucy Frazer: Details of whether any current MoJ staff have previously held a position as a Member of Parliament is not held centrally.

Courts: Video Conferencing

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2018 to Question 127570, on Courts: Video Conferencing, what proportion of defendants have appeared in court proceedings via video link from (a) police stations and (b) prisons in each year since 2000.

Lucy Frazer: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Courts: Video Conferencing

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2018 to Question 127570, on Courts: Video Conferencing, what proportion of witnesses have appeared in court proceedings via video link in each year since 2000.

Lucy Frazer: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Prison Sentences: Females

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many women were sentenced to prison for less than (a) two weeks, (b) one month, (c) three months, (d) six months, (e) one year; and how many women were given a custodial sentence in 2017.

Edward Argar: We are committed to doing all we can to address the issues around female offending so we can better protect the public and deliver more effective rehabilitation. The number of women sentenced to prison for less than two weeks, two weeks to less than one month, one month to less than three months, three months to less than six months, six months to less than one year, one year or more and overall for 2017 can be viewed in the table below.Number of females sentenced to immediate custody by sentence length in 2017(1)(2)   Sentence lengthTotal  Less than 2 weeks246  2 weeks to less than 1 month1,547  1 month to less than 3 months2,197  3 months to less than 6 months933  6 months to less than 12 months625  12 months or more1,688  Total 7,236   Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice  Ref: PQ 165645   (1) Data are given on a principal disposal basis - i.e. reporting the most severe sentence for the principal offence.(2) Data relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

Young Offender Institutions: Education

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2018 to Question 154763 on Young Offender Institutions: Education, what estimate he has made of the cost of collecting that information.

Edward Argar: We estimate that to collect the information as requested would cost approximately £1,900.

Deerbolt Young Offender Institution: Training

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of training for prisoners in HMYOI Deerbolt.

Rory Stewart: I refer the Honourable member to the answer to PQ 161214.

Prisons

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for the Ministry of Justice of 2 July 2018, Official Report, column 100, what criteria his Department has used to determine that 10,000 prison places will lead to the accommodation of 20,000 prisoners.

Rory Stewart: In my comments during the Supplementary Estimates Debate on 2 July 2018, I was referring to the 20,000 modern prison places. This included 10,000 places produced over the last decade (including HMP Berwyn), and the 10,00 additional places which will be provided in the future through the prison estate transformation programme. Together these provide decent, modern, spaces which contribute, as I said, to improving the physical conditions in, and decency of, the accommodation in the prison estate that underlie the real problems relating to dignity, cleanliness and everyday life that contribute directly to violence.

Rape Crisis Centres

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that women are able to get on to waiting lists for rape crisis centres.

Edward Argar: The Government is committed to ensuring that victims of crime get the support they need to cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of crime. Under the 2016-2020 Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, the Government made a commitment to maintain funding for sexual violence support services at 2016/17 levels for the remainder of the spending review period. We continue to meet this commitment. In 2017/18 we allocated around £7.2 million to Rape Support Centres in England and Wales, to provide specialist support to female and male victims of sexual violence. Rape Support Centres receive funding from a range of sources, including the government, Police and Crime Commissioners, charitable trusts and foundations, and the National Health Service. This year we have allocated Police and Crime Commissioners around £68 million to locally commission or provide support services for victims of crime based on need. This includes victims of sexual violence. The Government is considering long-term and sustainable funding arrangements as part of our work to develop a new delivery model for supporting victims and witnesses of crime. This work will form part of the Government’s Victims Strategy, to be published in Summer 2018.

Magistrates' Courts: Leeds

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to introduce a video link between locations in Wakefield and the magistrates' court in Leeds.

Lucy Frazer: HM Courts and Tribunals Service is aware that the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police are investigating the potential to establish video link facilities at a location in Wakefield, for use by victims and witnesses in the area. Officials will work closely with both criminal justice partners on this matter and I have asked that you are kept updated on progress.

Property Law

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to publish the draft Law of Property Bill announced in the 2016 Queen's Speech; and if he will make a statement.

Lucy Frazer: The Ministry of Justice has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Emigration: Children

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications for Leave to Remove were in each year since 2004; and how many of those applications were made by parents intending to return to a country in the EEA.

Lucy Frazer: Statistics are only published for numbers of children affected by leave to remove applications and orders under section 13 of the Children Act 1989. Specific issue applications and child arrangements applications relating to leave to remove applications are not identified separately in the statistics collected. Information could only be obtained from individual case files at disproportionate cost. Information on the intended destination of the proposed removal is not collected.

Emigration: Children

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of children (a) removed from and (b) allowed to remain in the jurisdiction of England and Wales under Leave to Remove applications in each year since 2004.

Lucy Frazer: Leave to remove orders can be made under section 13 of the Children Act 1989 where there is a child arrangements order for the child to live with a named person. Where there is no such child arrangements order, the court can determine an application for leave to remove under section 8 of the 1989 Act by way of a specific issue order or by making a child arrangements order. Information on what parents decide to do after a leave to remove order has been made is not collected.

Emigration: Children

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of CAFCASS reports that were requested for Leave to Remove applications in each year since 2004.

Lucy Frazer: The written consent of all persons with parental responsibility must be obtained in order to remove a child from the United Kingdom. Where a child arrangements order requires a child to live with a named person, and consent for removal is not given, the court can be asked for permission under section 13 of the Children Act 1989. Where there is no such child arrangements order in force, the court can be asked to decide about the child’s removal through a specific issue order made under section 8 of the 1989 Act. In either situation, the court may ask Cafcass to prepare a Section 7 welfare report about the child’s welfare needs and family circumstances. Cafcass does not record data on the number of Section 7 reports requested by the court by reference to the type of application made. This information could only be obtained from analysis of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of Hague Convention on Child Abduction cases in England and Wales in each year since 2004; how many children were ordered to remain in England and Wales as a result of those cases; and how many children were allowed to leave the country as a result of those cases.

Lucy Frazer: The statistics currently available on the number of cases under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction for the years 2014 to 2016 are athttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643446/rcj-tables-2016.xlsx at tabs 4.2 and 4.3. There are no currently verified statistics for the years 2004-2013 or after 2016. A case can involve more than one child. The known decisions of the court in these cases on return or non-return are as shown in the table. Information on how many children were the subject of return orders or non-return orders could only be obtained by analysis of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Dangerous Driving: Sentencing

Colleen Fletcher: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to introduce legislative proposals to extend the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.

Rory Stewart: The government is committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately. We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law, which will include proposals to increase the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving, as soon as parliamentary time allows. These proposals will take account of, and incorporate, all of government’s proposals for safer roads, including those arising from the Department of Transport’s review of cycle safety.

Ministry of Justice: Living Wage

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the cost per year of paying the London Living Wage to (a) his Department's cleaners working under the OCS contract, (b) all cleaners employed directly or indirectly by his Department and (c) everyone employed by his Department.

Edward Argar: Rates of pay for cleaners are determined by their respective employers. All employers are obliged to pay at least the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage. Cleaners are not directly employed by the MoJ, consequently details of the additional cost per year to pay the London Living Wage to MoJ cleaners working under the OCS contract or through any other outsourced provider is not held by the department. The cost of raising staff employed by the Ministry of Justice to the London Living Wage in MoJ HQ, HMCTS, LAA, OPG, CICA is £11,543,200 (7866 staff) and HMPPS £9,015,490 (6,398 staff). The cost of raising only staff employed by the Ministry of Justice in London to the London Living Wage is £508,830 (395 staff) and in HMPPS is £20,270 (24 staff).

Courts: Closures

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has commissioned research on the effect of court closures on (a) non-attendances of defendants and (a) staff morale.

Lucy Frazer: HM Courts & Tribunals Service holds data showing failure-to appear rates of defendants mapped against the number of courts and tribunals that have closed in each year. There was no significant increase in failure to attend warrants being issued as a proportion of hearings following the large closure programme of 2011/12. HM Courts & Tribunals Service acknowledges the impact that court closure may have on staff and when implementing a court closure support is offered to staff members in discussing relocation options with them. More broadly, staff morale is monitored annually through the HM Courts & Tribunals Service People Survey.

Courts: Closures

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that geographic accessibility to courts does not become a barrier to access to justice as a result of the courts closure programme.

Lucy Frazer: In January 2018, HM Courts & Tribunals Service published its Fit for the future: transforming the Court and Tribunal estate consultation, outlining proposals for its future strategy and approach to the court and tribunal estate in the context of the over £1 billion programme of modernisation currently underway across HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Access to justice, of which proximity to courts and tribunals is one factor, was referred to in the consultation, which closed on 29 March 2018. We are currently considering responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

Magistrates

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure magistrates courts are adequately staffed with magistrates.

Lucy Frazer: The number of magistrates required by magistrates’ courts and the Family Court are assessed annually through an established protocol agreed with the Judiciary. This can be found at https://www.judiciary.uk/publications/protocol-support-jud-deployment-in-mags-cts/.

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Females

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to paragraph 169 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, in what way UK trade policy will promote the economic empowerment of women.

George Hollingbery: We have taken decisive steps to recognise the role of trade in promoting gender equality and are a proud signatory to the WTO’s joint declaration on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Expanding women’s access to trade is not only the right thing to do and vital to women’s economic empowerment, but it brings significant economic and developmental gains through improved market efficiencies, trade performance and competitiveness.DIT has committed to a future UK trade policy which secures prosperity for all citizens, including women. We are exploring the best domestic and international approaches and will take a gender-responsive approach to trade, creating a framework that upholds gender equality, working closely with the Department for International Development.

Import Duties: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

George Hollingbery: I refer the Hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth on 26 June 2018, UIN: 157755.

Official Visits: USA

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many working visits he has had with his US counterparts since 24 July 2017.

Graham Stuart: Between 24 July 2017 and the end of this month, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade will have visited the US five times. Four of those visits involved meeting counterparts, with these having taken place on 22-25 July 2017, 14-16 March 2018 and 23-24 May 2018, and the visit which is about to take place over 24-27 July.Over 9-13 April he also undertook a trade promotion visit to Seattle and Los Angeles.

Overseas Trade: Lebanon

Mr John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many times (a) he and (b) Ministers of his Department have met with Lebanese officials to discuss trade with that country after the UK leaves the EU.

Graham Stuart: The Department for International Trade has engaged with officials from the Lebanese Embassy in London to discuss trade, and to reassure them that the UK remains open for business after we leave the European Union.My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade has held a successful meeting with the Lebanese Ambassador HE Rami Mortada. My noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion (Baroness Fairhead) and former Minister of State for Trade Policy, my Rt hon Friend for Chelsea and Fulham (Greg Hands), have also engaged with Lebanese officials to discuss our future trading relationship.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Licensed Premises: Travellers

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that Gypsies, Roma and Irish Travellers are not discriminated against in licensed premises.

Nigel Adams: This Government is clear that all forms of unlawful discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The UK has a strong legal framework, and effective remedies, for the protection of human rights and for combating discrimination, complemented by the UK ratification and implementation of international human rights instruments. Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Scottish Gypsy/Travellers have been recognised by the courts as specific racial groups for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010 and it is clear that licensed premises must not discriminate against members of any of these groups. Within licensed premises, local authorities and operators of those premises have a responsibility to promote four licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 on the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Housing: Solar Power

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what rights tenants have to ensure that solar panels fitted to domestic properties are (a) safe and (b) comply with safety regulations.

Kit Malthouse: All solar panels fitted to domestic properties must comply with safety regulations. The Building Regulations would apply to any solar / photovoltaic panels fitted to a domestic property. Part P of the Building Regulations states that reasonable provision shall be made in the design and installation of electrical installations, including protection from fire and injury. In order to be eligible for the Government’s Feed-in Tariff, installers must also meet the requirements of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which provides quality assurance of installers.

Rented Housing: Solar Power

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds information on tenants in rented accommodation who have asked for solar panels to be removed because of safety concerns; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: The Department does not hold information on tenant requests to remove solar panels.

Housing: Solar Power

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received reports of concerns regarding solar panels fitted to domestic properties which have caught fire or exploded; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is aware of some previously reported incidents of fires involving photovoltaic panels / solar panels and that is why we commissioned the Building Research Establishment in 2015 to conduct a study on this issue. The interim findings of this study were published in July 2017 and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-incidents-involving-solar-panels

High Rise Flats: Fire Prevention

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government's commitment to fund in full the cost of replacing dangerous cladding on local authority and housing association tower blocks includes homes leased by local authorities and housing associations.

James Brokenshire: The Government will fully fund the removal and replacement of unsafe Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding systems that have failed large scale tests commissioned by the Government in 2017 on social residential buildings that are 18 metres and over. The funding will be available for social residential buildings owned by councils and housing associations. On 3 July, we published on the Government website further details on how councils and housing associations can apply for the funding. The guidance confirms the scope of the fund, provides more detail on how it will operate and sets out the information required, when applying.There may be circumstances where buildings are owned by a private sector freeholder and leased by a local authority and/or housing association. The Government has set out its expectation that building owners or those responsible for private sector buildings with unsafe ACM cladding systems should do all they can to protect leaseholders from incurring costs – either funding it themselves or looking at alternative routes such as insurance claims, warranties or legal action. I have met met industry representatives to ask them to work together to develop their own solutions to deliver remediation. I rule out no options if industry and individual building owners or developers are not able to do this. A new minister-chaired taskforce is being established and will be charged with ensuring that remediation plans are put in place swiftly across all private sector buildings with ACM cladding systems. Up to £1 million will be made available to support local authorities take further enforcement steps.

Sleeping Rough

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish a rough sleeping strategy before the summer recess.

James Brokenshire: No one should ever have to sleep rough and this government is determined to break the homelessness cycle once and for all. That is why we have committed to halving rough sleeping by 2022 and ending it by 2027.The Government will be publishing a rough sleeping strategy setting out the plan of action to meet this ambitious target. It will be published shortly.

Letting Agents: Scotland

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect on letting agencies in Scotland of the Scottish Parliament's legislating to make letting agent fees illegal.

Rishi Sunak: The ban on letting fees in Scotland was clarified in 2012. The private rented sector in Scotland has continued to grow and in 2016 made up 15 per cent of households compared with 13 per cent in the 2012 Scottish Household Survey. The Scottish Government estimate the number of letting agents currently operating in Scotland is around 1,700. This demonstrates that good and innovative agents will continue to have a market in which to thrive.

Letting Agents: Scotland

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect on private sector rents in Scotland of banning letting agent fees.

Rishi Sunak: It is very difficult to understand the direct impact of the ban on fees on rental levels in Scotland since there are many different economic factors to take into account. Rents have risen on a cumulative basis no faster in Scotland since 2012 than in England and the sector remains healthy. According to ONS data, between 2012 and 2018, rents increased on average by 12 per cent in England compared to 6 per cent in Scotland.

Local Government: Sussex

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will ask the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to review the boundary between Lewes District and East Sussex County Councils and Brighton and Hove City Council in order to re-unify Saltdean for the purposes of local government administration.

Rishi Sunak: The Local Government Boundary Commission for England may undertake a boundary review following a request from the councils concerned, the Secretary of State, or on its own initiative. Our policy is that all local government structural or boundary changes should be locally-led, and hence it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to request a review of the boundary between Lewes District and East Sussex County Councils, and Brighton and Hove City Council – any such request should be made by the councils concerned.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Accountancy

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent with the Big Four accountancy firms in the last twelve months.

Jake Berry: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has spent the following amounts in the last 12 months (to 30 June 2018): KPMG - £192,275Deloitte - £73,962PWC – nilErnst & Young – nil

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many full-time equivalent staff are employed in his Department's housing directorate; and how many staff of his Department outside of that directorate work on (a) housing and (b) planning related to housing.

James Brokenshire: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Rented Housing: Consultation Papers

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2018 to Question 125886 on Social Rented Housing: Consultation Papers, whether he plans to publish a Social Housing Green Paper before the 2018 summer recess.

Kit Malthouse: We intend to publish the Social Housing Green Paper shortly.

Social Rented Housing: Consultation Papers

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish his Department’s analysis of feedback from the roadshows for tenants on the development of the Social Housing Green Paper.

Kit Malthouse: We heard from almost 1,000 residents of social housing at 14 engagement events across the country hosted by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Over 7,000 people also shared their thoughts with us through our online engagement. Their views have been pivotal in shaping the social housing Green Paper, which we intend to publish shortly.

Housing: Construction

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to empower local authorities to prevent developers from building on greenbelt land when allocated brownfield sites with existing planning permissions granted have not been developed in that local authority area.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is committed to maintaining strong protections for the Green Belt. The revised National Planning Policy Framework will clarify what ‘exceptional circumstances’ means for local authorities considering altering a Green Belt boundary. This includes making as much use as possible of suitable brownfield and under-used land.The Government provides support to local authorities through mechanisms including the New Homes Bonus, loans from the Home Building Fund, Land Remediation Relief and Enterprise Zone and Housing Zone designations.

Derelict Land: Wirral

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in Wirral which have a shortage of brownfield sites with exemptions under the proposals for the National Plan.

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to ensure that all brownfield sites are prioritised for development in (a) Wirral and (b) Merseyside.

Kit Malthouse: I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 164879 on 23 July 2018.

Derelict Land: Wirral

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been built on brownfield sites in Wirral in each calendar year since 1 January 2011.

Kit Malthouse: The Department produces statistics on the estimated percentage of new residential addresses created by previous developed usage. Local authority level figures for 2013-17 are published in live table P302, available from the ‘2016 to 2017 residential address change tables’ at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-land-use-change-statisticsData at local authority level on residential addresses are made available only as an average over several years as annual data at this spatial scale are volatile between years.

Right to Buy Scheme: Birmingham

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will list the housing associations with properties within (a) Birmingham Northfield constituency and (b) Birmingham who are eligible for the Voluntary Right to Buy Midlands pilot scheme for housing association tenants; and how many tenants he estimates will take part in that scheme in both of those areas.

Kit Malthouse: The Voluntary Right to Buy Midlands Pilot will be launching later in the summer, and ahead of the launch we will announce details of the housing associations who will be taking part in the pilot, and how eligible tenants will be able to apply for the scheme.

Supported Housing: Finance

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the budget for short-term supported housing.

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to fund short-term supported housing through the benefits system.

Nigel Adams: The Government values the vital role that supported housing plays in the lives of many vulnerable people. We know how important short-term supported accommodation, in particular, is to vulnerable people when they have faced a crisis in their lives. We are committed to protecting this provision.We will be providing a response to the October 2017 consultations and confirming the details of the funding arrangements soon.

High Rise Flats: Insulation

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether there is a timetable in place for the removal of all combustible cladding from privately owned high-rise buildings; and what sanctions there will be for private owners of such buildings who refuse to remove dangerous cladding.

Kit Malthouse: As at 12 July 2018, of the 301 private sector residential buildings with cladding systems that are unlikely to meet current Building Regulations guidance, local authorities have told us about plans for remediating 77 buildings. Of these, 23 buildings have started remediation, of which 4 have completed.A new ministerial-chaired taskforce is being established to actively oversee the remediation of private sector buildings with aluminium composite material cladding systems. The taskforce will be charged with ensuring that remediation plans are put in place swiftly across all private sector buildings with aluminium composite material cladding systems, and addressing any barriers or identifying any additional support required to achieve this. We have not ruled out any options for enforcing remediation.Local authorities have strong and effective powers to deal with poor quality unsafe accommodation and they have a statutory duty to keep housing conditions in their areas under review. They should take enforcement action against owners of buildings in their areas that are not acting responsibly in respect of hazards, and we encourage them to use these powers to the fullest to ensure residents are safe.

Sleeping Rough: Finance

Thelma Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how he has allocated spending from the rough sleeping prevention fund in each year since its inception.

Nigel Adams: Funding for the Rough Sleeping Grant Programme was allocated through a competitive bidding process. The final funding allocations across the two years of the programme were announced on 21 December 2016 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homelessness-prevention-programme.

Expert Advisory Panel on High Streets

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason the Government's panel on the future of the High Street (a) does not have a representative of workers in the industry and (b) includes only a Conservative Councillor.

Jake Berry: High streets are a crucial part of our communities. The Government is determined to see our high streets thriving, both now and in the future. We want to see vibrant hubs where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time. That is why on 16 July, the Department announced the appointment of an expert panel of leaders to draw on their experience and expertise to diagnose the issues currently affecting our high streets, and advise on the best long-term approach to help their revival. The panel of experts have a wide range of experience and represent different facets of the high street. It includes representatives from the retail, property and design sectors as well as local government. Alongside the panel, the Department will also launch a call for evidence over the summer, which will allow members of the public – including users of and workers on the high street – to tell us what they want from their future high streets.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July to Question 161562, what assessment he has made of the regional disparity in Local Authorities eligible to bid for the Additional Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme.

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration was given to the Homeless Household Acceptance rates of local authorities when determining the methodology used to determine their eligibility to bid for the Additional Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme.

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration was given to the number of right to buy sales in local authorities when determining the methodology used to determine their eligibility to bid for the Additional Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme.

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration was given to the size of social housing waiting lists in local authorities when determining the methodology used to determine the eligibility of local authorities to bid for the Additional Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme.

Kit Malthouse: The metric used to assess whether a local authority is in an area of high affordability pressure and therefore eligible to make an application under the Additional HRA Borrowing Programme is whether it has a difference of £50 or more per week between average social and average private rents at the local authority level. The Programme is therefore directed at local authorities where rents are most unaffordable and families are struggling to pay their rents. We want to see the Programme heavily subscribed. We will review how local authorities respond to this opportunity, and consider whether any further action is needed.

Housing: Rural Areas

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the proposed entry level exception site policy on rural occupation; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: The Government has consulted on a proposed entry level exception site policy as part of the draft National Planning Policy Framework. This consultation closed on 10 May and responses have been assessed. The new National Planning Policy Framework and the Government’s response will be published shortly.

Freehold

Sir Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proposals he has to limit the ability of (a) freeholders to appoint managing agents and (b) freeholder managing agents to levy fees on leaseholders; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: The outcome of our recent call for evidence on, ‘Protecting consumers in the letting and managing agent market’, sets out our intention to introduce measures which will enable leaseholders to veto a landlord’s choice of managing agent where justified, review their performance and change agents where agreed levels of service have not been achieved and maintained. It also outlines our plans to set up a Working Group to examine those fees and charges that go beyond leasehold service charges, but can impact both leaseholders and freeholders, and consider under what circumstances they are justified, and if they should be capped or banned.

Charities: EU Grants and Loans

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to ensure that charities are consulted on the development of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Jake Berry: The MHCLG continues to develop the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to reduce economic inequalities across our four nations.As announced in the Industrial Strategy, we will consult widely on the design of the new Fund later in the year. I encourage all interested parties, including charities, to contribute their views.

Freehold

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recourse to complaint freeholders have who pay into a common management scheme that is badly managed.

Mrs Heather Wheeler: Freeholders have recourse to a number of procedures to help settle a complaint. An initial complaint can be made through their common management scheme's complaints procedure. If necessary, complaints can be escalated through one of the following ombudsman schemes: Ombudsman Services: Property, Property Redress Scheme, and The Property Ombudsman. Ultimately, a complaint can be settled through the courts.As part of the response to the consultation 'Tackling unfair practices in the leasehold market' the Government committed to legislate to ensure that freeholders who pay charges for the maintenance of communal areas and facilities on a private or mixed use estate can access equivalent rights as leaseholders to challenge their reasonableness. We will bring forward the necessary legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Social Rented Housing: Consultation Papers

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what date his Department plans to publish the social housing Green Paper.

Kit Malthouse: We intend to publish the Social Housing Green Paper shortly.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Bodies

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which non-executive appointments have been made to his Department's public bodies from April 2018 to March 2019; and if he will make a statement.

Jake Berry: Since April 1 2018, a total of four appointments, four re-appointments and eight short term extensions of existing non-executives have been made to the Department’s Arm’s Length Bodies.

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what date the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission was established.

James Brokenshire: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Planning Permission: Large Goods Vehicles

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to enable local authorities to enforce routeing conditions and legal agreements for heavy goods vehicles that are part of planning permissions; and if he will make a statement.

Kit Malthouse: Local planning authorities already have extensive enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, to ensure that development takes place in accordance with the planning permission granted. For example, where a condition has not been complied with they may serve a breach of condition notice or an enforcement notice. However, enforcement is at the discretion of local authorities and it is for them to decide how and when they use their powers.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of local authorities that are (a) eligible and (b) ineligible to bid for the Additional Housing Revenue Account Borrowing Programme have a Housing Revenue Account.

Kit Malthouse: Holding answer received on 23 July 2018



Out of the 198 housing authorities eligible to bid for the Programme, 104 (or 53 per cent) currently have a Housing Revenue Account. Out of the 128 housing authorities ineligible to bid, 62 (or 48 per cent) currently have a Housing Revenue Account.

Right to Buy Scheme

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Government plans to publish the consultation on providing greater flexibility for local authority use of right to buy receipts.

Kit Malthouse: We are working on developing a package of measures for the consultation to help councils build. This is an important question and we want to get the policies right. The consultation will be published in due course.

Housing Revenue Accounts

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reasons social rents from local authority stockholding councils were not included in the figures used to determine average social rents in the local authority area where council rents form a part of the social housing stock for the purpose of determining local authorities' eligibility to bid for the additional housing revenue account borrowing programme.

Kit Malthouse: Holding answer received on 23 July 2018



Housing association rents are used for the social rent data as they give more complete geographical coverage than local authority rents which are not applicable in all areas.

Parks: Repairs and Maintenance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effect on community wellbeing of putting in place detailed statutory responsibilities for the maintenance of public parks by local authorities.

Rishi Sunak: The Government does not want to impose excessive central reporting burdens on local government and has sought to reduce pressure on local authorities through the ‘new burdens doctrine’. This requires departments to justify why new duties are being placed on local authorities. Therefore, any new statutory duties would be subject to the new burdens doctrine.Many local authorities already work very closely on wellbeing issues and are keen to develop effective approaches. Best practice models are shared by the Local Government Association, which is a member of the ‘Parks Action Group’ and a pivotal partner in the group’s work in reviewing a range of issues relating to parks and green spaces in England. On 24 May, the Association hosted the ‘Action on Parks’ conference sharing learning and best practice with local authorities.The Government has committed £500,000 to support the Parks Action Group’ and the work to safeguard and enhance parks and green spaces. The Government will report back to Parliament on the group’s progress later this year.

Local Government

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2018 to Question 136964, whether his Department holds a record of local authorities that have undertaken a corporate peer challenge from the Local Government Association since 2011.

James Brokenshire: This information is not retained centrally but most councils publish the outcome of their corporate peer review undertaken by the Local Government Association. The list who have done so is publicly available at: https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/peer-challenges/outcomes-peer-challenge-reports.

Ministry of Defence

Yemen: Military Intervention

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel are involved in or supporting international operations against Al Qaeda and Daesh in Eastern Yemen.

Mark Lancaster: There are no UK military personnel involved in or supporting international operations against Al-Qaeda and Daesh in Eastern Yemen.

European Fighter Aircraft

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on bilateral relationships with European partners in relation to the Eurofighter Typhoon after the UK leaves the EU.

Gavin Williamson: We believe an open and inclusive approach to European capability development is in our mutual strategic security interests, and will help strengthen our Armed Forces and our defence industries. We will continue to work with our allies and partners on the development of capability that we need and much of this, including Typhoon, already takes place outside of an EU framework. Our membership of NATO is what drives the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, with the four nations working together under the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA).

Military Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 46 on page 30 of the Combat Air Strategy, published on 16 July 2018. how many (a) civil servants and (b) armed forces personnel will be in the Combat Air Strategy acquisition team.

Gavin Williamson: In line with the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s 'whole force concept' approach, the acquisition team will be a multidisciplinary organisation, drawing on talent from across Defence. Programmes of this nature necessarily need to evolve over time along with the size and composition of the Team, but the core leadership group to initiate the acquisition will comprise two Air Force officers and three civil servants. They will lead and draw on the significant expertise of the rest of the MOD's Strategic Programmes team, Head Office, Team Tempest, DSTL, Defence Equipment and Support, other Government Departments and industry.

Military Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 19, paragraph 26 of the Combat Air Strategy, whether there are any SMEs in Team Tempest.

Gavin Williamson: The industrial prime contractors who form Team Tempest, alongside Government, are working closely with the UK's small and medium enterprises (and associated subject matter experts), academia and the supply chain to maximise the values laid out in the Combat Air Strategy. The Strategy makes clear that industry must leverage the best processes and technologies wherever they are found in the global supply chain and this includes small and medium enterprises.

Military Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 15, paragraph 13 of the Combat Air Strategy, how much investment his Department plans to provide to key UK design engineering skills and a means to generate UK Intellectual Property.

Gavin Williamson: The Combat Air Strategy makes clear that Government is investing nearly £2 billion over 10 years in the Future Combat Air Systems Technology Initiative. This will mature the technologies of the future, develop UK Intellectual Property and will include those skills necessary to sustain UK operational advantage and freedom of action.

Ministry of Defence: Buildings

Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has set a target for the amount of revenue to be generated from its estate rationalisation programme.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ministry of Defence has a target for the amount of revenue which will be generated from its Defence Estate Optimisation Programme and this revenue will be reinvested back into the Defence estate.

Air Force: Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) drug and (b) alcohol testing rules are for RAF pilots.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The general requirement for all RAF personnel to be fit for duty is underpinned by the Service Offence of Unfitness or Misconduct through Alcohol and Drugs as set out in Section 20 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, as amended by the Armed Forces Act 2011.RAF pilots are subject to the same drug and alcohol testing rules as all other RAF personnel with the addition of lower prescribed alcohol limits.

NATO: Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions in each of the last five years NATO countries had to provide maritime patrol aircraft for use in UK airspace; and from which countries those aircraft came.

Mark Lancaster: Over the last five calendar years Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the United States, Canada, France, Germany and Norway have temporarily deployed to the UK for exercises, training and maritime operations.We do not discuss the detail of such maritime operations as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Ministry of Defence: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many former hon. Members hold  (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: This information is not held.

NATO

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 16 July 2018, Official Report, column 25, what role the UK plans to play in the NATO Readiness Initiative.

Mark Lancaster: The UK fully supports the NATO Readiness Initiative that will, by 2020, deliver 30 major naval combatants, 30 medium or heavy manoeuvre battalions, and 30 kinetic air squadrons, all at 30 days readiness and organised as elements of larger combat formations.Specific requirements are being defined by NATO, we continue to work with them on our role and national contributions will be confirmed when that process is complete.

NATO: Military Aircraft

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 16 July 2018, Official Report, column 23, how many additional UK fighter jets are planned to be deployed in support of NATO air policing; which aircraft will be so deployed; and to which country they will be deployed.

Mark Lancaster: The UK is currently supporting NATO Air Policing in Romania with four Typhoon aircraft for a four month period. Similar deployments are planned to Estonia and Iceland in 2019, Lithuania in 2020 and Romania in 2021.

Afghanistan: Armed Forces

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 16 July 2018, Official Report, column 24, what roles UK personnel will be allocated to permit the release of US personnel for other work in Afghanistan.

Mark Lancaster: Further to my statement on 11 July 2018 (Official Report, column 973) the additional UK personnel will join the UK-led Kabul Security Force, which provides security for NATO advisors delivering vital capacity-building to the Afghan Security Ministries in the city, a Quick Reaction Force for NATO personnel caught up in security incidents and directly mentors the Afghan security forces in their protection of the civilian population in Kabul. This uplift will enhance UK support to the Afghan Security Forces at a critical point, given upcoming elections and the Afghan Government's efforts to establish a lasting peace process.

Armed Forces: Sexual Offences

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many allegations of (a) sexual assault and (b) rape were referred to the Royal Military Police by the (i) Army, (ii) Navy and (iii) RAF in each of the preceding three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many allegations of (a) sexual assault and (b) rape referred to the Service Prosecution Authority related to service personnel in the (i) Army, (ii) Navy and (iii) RAF in each of the preceding three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many convictions there were for (a) sexual assault and (b) rape by service personnel in the (i) Army, (ii) Navy and (iii) RAF in each of the preceding three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Rape and sexual assault are abhorrent crimes. We do not tolerate offences of this kind and every reported incident is thoroughly investigated.Detailed statistics on sexual offences in the Service Justice System are published annually and can be found at the following address:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sexual-offences-in-the-service-justice-system

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund: Islamic State

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference page 15 of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund annual report for 2016-2017, which organisations received funding from the Deployed Military Assistance Pool for the purpose of counter-Daesh activities.

Mark Lancaster: The Deployed Military Assistance Pool exists to provide initial funding for emergent military activity conducted by the Ministry of Defence, which in Financial Year 2016-17 included some counter-Daesh operations.

Patrol Craft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 162497 on Patrol Vessels, and with reference to his Department's policy of not classifying offshore patrol vessels as warships for shipbuilding purposes, as outlined in the Answer of 9 July 2018 to Question 160710, whether possible future Royal Navy orders for offshore patrol vessels will be subject to international competition.

Stuart Andrew: Yes. The National Shipbuilding Strategy (page 33) set out that Offshore Patrol Vessels should be subject to open international competition, provided that there are no compelling national security reasons to constrain a particular procurement to national providers.

Warships

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 162497 on Patrol Vessels, and with reference to his Department's policy of not classifying offshore patrol vessels as warships for shipbuilding purposes, as outlined in the Answer of 9 July 2018 to Question 160710, whether he has a remit to exempt future orders of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships from international competition under Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Stuart Andrew: The National Shipbuilding Strategy made clear that Royal Navy warships (destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers) will be built in the UK. This recognises that preserving this national capability to design, integrate and build warships is critical to national security. The exemption under Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, allowing any member nation to reserve a procurement for reasons of national security, applies to warships - not to naval auxiliary vessels.

Army

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2018 to Question 163026, for what reasons more time is required to provide the information requested on the strength of the Army's (a) 1st Division, (b) 3rd Division and (c) Force Troops Command.

Mark Lancaster: Additional time was required for Defence Statistics to reconcile and assure the Single Service estimate provided by HQ Field Army, ensuring the provision of accurate information to Parliament. These figures are used for planning purposes, and are not routinely held at such a level of assurance.The figures requested are set out below. Figures represent the structures and strength of each formation as of 1 April 2018:1st (UK) Division: 11,2003rd (UK) Division: 14,050Force Troops Command: 18,250Notes/Caveats:Figures are for Trade Trained Regular and Gurkha personnel who are serving at Units within the Division.Structures of formations are subject to change as a part of Army 2020 (Refine).Figures have been rounded to 10 for presentational purposes; numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

AWACS

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of negotiations between his Department and Boeing over a possible contract to replace its six RAF E-3D Sentry airborne early warning aircraft with a fleet of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.

Stuart Andrew: The Ministry of Defence is considering options to meet its future Airborne Warning and Control capability requirements. No investment decisions have yet been taken and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: Medical Assessments

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timeframe is for all assessments for (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance in Birkenhead to be recorded using audio equipment.

Sarah Newton: Provided they give advance notice, claimants of ESA and Universal Credit (UC) can already ask for their assessment to be audio recorded and equipment will be provided. Claimants may also use their own equipment provided they meet certain conditions required by DWP. As part of our commitment to improve the PIP assessment process we are currently progressing options to video record PIP face to face assessments. We are commencing testing in the Summer.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will arrange for a response to be sent to the email of 23 May 2018 from the hon. Member for Slough sent on behalf of a constituent to her Department's Operations Correspondence Team and subsequently forwarded by that team on 24 May 2018 to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Operations Correspondence Team.

Justin Tomlinson: A full reply was sent by email to the hon. Member for Slough on 19.7.18.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many women born in the 1950s and affected by the changes in state pension age in Coventry (a) are entitled to the full state pension, (b) do not have the required number of qualifying years for a full state pension and (c) were contracted out.

Guy Opperman: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 163137, on Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit, on how many occasions have claimants been refused an exception to the two child limit for (a) child tax credits and (b) universal credit as a result of (i) not meeting the conditions and (ii) not providing sufficient evidence to support their request.

Alok Sharma: DWP and HMRC published statistics on 28 June 2018 related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of two children, which can be accessed at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/719458/Two_children_and_exceptions_in_tax_credits_and_Universal_Credit_April_2018.pdf. There is an explanation on page 5 about why this publication does not contain information about claimants who have applied for an exception but have not met the criteria to qualify.

Children: Maintenance

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency (a) arrears-only and (b) arrears cases involving a current liability for a child are open in Glasgow South West constituency.

Justin Tomlinson: As at March 2018, there were 1,470 arrears only cases in the Glasgow South West constituency held by the Child Support Agency. As at March 2018, there were 20 arrears cases involving a current liability in the Glasgow South West constituency held by the Child Support Agency.

Children: Maintenance

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) parents with care and (b) non-resident parents with a Child Support Agency case there were in Glasgow South West constituency in the latest period for which figures were available.

Justin Tomlinson: As at March 2018 there were 1500 parents with care with a Child Support Agency case in the Glasgow South West constituency. As at March 2018 there were 1460 non-resident parents with a Child Support Agency case in the Glasgow South West constituency.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with disabilities in Glasgow South West constituency had a deduction made from their benefits due to the removal of the spare room subsidy in the latest period for which figures were available.

Justin Tomlinson: As at February 2018, there were 2,120 households in Glasgow South West constituency who had a deduction made from their Housing Benefit due to the removal of the spare room subsidy. Of these, there were 1,580 where the claimant or partner was receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The Government has provided easements to allow an additional bedroom for couples and children who are unable to share a bedroom due to their disability, or where a non-resident overnight carer (or group of carers) is required for an adult, child or non-dependant adult.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employees of her Department are employed to investigate benefit fraud; what the estimated cost to the public purse is of such fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: Many staff within DWP play vital roles in combating fraud and error in the benefit system, including front line and processing staff. In terms of specialists, there are (as at July 2018) 1,405.3 full time equivalent staff employed in an investigative role. The Monetary Value of Fraud and Error estimates provide information on overpayments and underpayments in the benefit system. In 2016/17, the monetary value of overpayments classified as fraud was £2.0bn which equated to 1.2% of total benefit expenditure.

Television: Licensing

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of providing free television licences to people over the age of 75 for qualifying residents in (a) Glasgow South West constituency, (b) Glasgow City Local Authority Area and (c) Scotland in 2017-18.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not yet available. Geographical breakdowns on the cost of providing free TV licenses to those aged 75 and over will be available after September 2018.

Personal Independence Payment: Multiple Sclerosis

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of claimants of disability living allowance with multiple sclerosis received the higher rate of mobility support as a result of being unable or virtually unable to walk because of a physical disability in the 12 months before the roll-out of personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.The available information on the number of individuals in receipt of Disability Living Allowance payments by medical condition and date is published and can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Guidance for users is available at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Personal Independence Payment: Multiple Sclerosis

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people with multiple sclerosis are no longer eligible for the higher rate of mobility support as a result of the transition from disability living allowance to personal independence payment since the roll-out of personal independence payment.

Sarah Newton: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personal Independence Payment

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of claimants have received each length of personal independence payment award since its introduction.

Sarah Newton: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Martin Whitfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2018 to Question 156480, on Social Security Benefits: Scotland, how many claimants the total value of outstanding benefit overpayment in Scotland is attributable to.

Justin Tomlinson: Current data at 17 July 2018 shows that the total value of outstanding benefit overpayments to be devolved to the Scottish Government is £29.2m. This debt is attributable to 17,000 claimants. The actual amounts devolved to the Scottish Government will be subject to the value at the point of transfer and accounting agreements between the two governments.

Social Security Benefits: Easington

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the access and disability assessments for the premises used by the (a) Independent Assessment Services and (b) Centre for Health and Disability Assessments to carry out health assessments for people living in the Easington constituency.

Sarah Newton: Information in relation to the accessibility of the Assessment Centres used by Independent Assessment Services and Centre for Health and Disability Assessments is published on their websites. If a face-to-face assessment is required the providers issue an appointment letter which includes specific information about the Assessment Centre. https://www.mypipassessment.co.uk/consultation-centreshttps://www.chdauk.co.uk/find-your-assessment-centre

Social Security Benefits: Overpayments

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of overpaid benefits in each of the last five years.

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases of underpaid benefits have occurred in each of the last five years.

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total cost of underpaid benefits has been to the public purse in each of the last five years.

Justin Tomlinson: The Monetary Value of Fraud and Error estimates provide information on overpayments and underpayments in the benefit system. Levels of fraud and error, both overpayments and underpayments, remain low in percentage terms. Figures for the last 5 years are as follows: YearOverpaymentsExpenditureUnderpaymentsExpenditure2012/13£3.5bn2.1%£1.6bn0.9%2013/14£3.4bn2.1%£1.5bn0.9%2014/15£3.0bn1.8%£1.5bn0.9%2015/16£3.3bn1.9%£1.7bn1.0%2016/17£3.6bn2.0%£1.7bn1.0% We do not publish information on the total number of benefit claimants who have been underpaid benefits, but the stats publications offer information on the percentage of cases overpaid and underpaid by client group and error type. Final fraud and error estimates for 2017/18 will be available later this year.

Child Support Agency: ICT

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the estimated £90 million savings between 2017 and 2023 from decommissioning CSA computer systems are planned to be used; and what proportion of those savings are planned to be reinvested in the Child Maintenance Service.

Justin Tomlinson: We will reinvest the savings into DWP spending, allowing DWP to focus on the more efficient and effective Child Maintenance Service.

Children: Maintenance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Child Maintenance Compliance and Arrears Strategy, published on 12 July 2018, what the time limit is for a parent setting up a payment method at the point of application before a Deduction from Earnings Order is set up.

Justin Tomlinson: In general, where the Paying Parent responds to contact, we do not have a specific time limit in place for setting up a payment method, and timescales will vary depending on the individual circumstances at the point of application. We do, however, aim to have all payment methods in place as quickly as possible after the point of application and establish payment within 12 weeks. In the event a paying parent fails to respond to contact (both written and telephone) within 14 days, in order to start collection and avoid the build-up of arrears, we would check for employer details and, if possible, set up a DEO at this stage.

Children: Maintenance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Child Maintenance Compliance and Arrears Strategy, published on 12 July 2018, when the trial to refer low debt cases to external contractors under the Child Maintenance Service is planned to (a) commence and (b) end; and when she plans to report the findings from that trial.

Justin Tomlinson: We are working through a number of options to deliver this trial. We expect to be in a position to confirm the trial strategy by early Autumn. The results of any trial will be published in due course.

Children: Maintenance

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons her Department uses shared care bands when calculating reductions to child maintenance payments; and what her Department's rationale was in deciding what those bands should be.

Justin Tomlinson: Where there is shared care an adjustment may be made to the maintenance calculation to take account of the overnight care a paying parent is expected to have over a twelve month period. Bands are used to allow for simpler calculations and to reduce the need to consider small changes. Child maintenance is calculated at a weekly rate so the reduction is applied in ratios of sevenths to reflect how the number of nights per year relates to a weekly amount.

Children: Maintenance

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons her Department is mandating paying parents to continue paying maintenance under the Child Maintenance Service when they have shared care for their child for more than 50 per cent of the year.

Justin Tomlinson: In most cases where care of a child is shared by parents, one parent tends to take a greater share of responsibility for that child. In such cases, it is right that the other parent remains financially liable for supporting their child, although the care they are providing will often result in a low maintenance liability. Where there is equal day to day care, there will be no requirement to pay maintenance. This reflects the fact that, in these circumstances, both parents are meeting their obligations to their children equally, so there is no need for one to make additional payments of child maintenance. Parents may choose to make a family based arrangement that works for their individual circumstances without any Child Maintenance Service involvement.

Food Banks

Mr Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential for an increase in food bank use during the school summer holidays in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England.

Justin Tomlinson: We are currently reviewing research carried out by organisations including the Trussell Trust, to add to our understanding of food bank use, and will consider requirements to add to our evidence base.

Disability Living Allowance

Ms Marie Rimmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to abolish the minimum age of eligibility for the mobility component of disability living allowance.

Sarah Newton: Whilst there are no proposals to change the current age restrictions for the mobility component of Child Disability Living Allowance, the Department understands the difficulties that some families with severely disabled children under the age of three may face, particularly those whose reliance on bulky medical equipment makes transportation difficult. After being introduced by the Department, the Motability charity and Family Fund have begun a pilot to support families with their mobility needs. While I am not yet in a position to provide full details of the scheme and how it will operate, I hope to be able to do so in the coming months.

State Retirement Pensions: British Nationals Abroad

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of uprating the state pension, for UK pensioners residing overseas, in line with the state pension in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to update the state pension for UK pensioners residing overseas; and if she will make a statement.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations her Department has received from Commonwealth countries on the uprating of UK state pensions for pensioners residing in those countries.

Guy Opperman: The cost of up-rating State Pensions overseas where they are not currently up-rated would be over £0.5 billion per year if all pensions in payment were increased to current UK levels. These costs would increase in future years. The policy on up-rating state pensions overseas is a long-standing one. It has been the policy of successive post-war Governments for around 70 years - UK State Pensions are payable worldwide and are uprated abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in the European Economic Area (EEA) and in countries with which we have a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating. We have no plans to change this policy.The Department regularly receives representations from Commonwealth countries on the up-rating of UK State Pension for pensioners residing in those countries.

Personal Independence Payment: Multiple Sclerosis

Heidi Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people with multiple sclerosis who scored 12 points under PIP mobility activity 2 moving around descriptor (e) can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided were (a) new claimants and (b) reassessments in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sarah Newton: Of all Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims cleared between April 2013 and 30th April 2018 from claimants with multiple sclerosis who scored 12 points under PIP the ‘moving around’ mobility activity descriptor (e) can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided, (a) 14% were new claimants and (b) 86% were Disability Living Allowance to PIP reassessment claimants.

Social Security Benefits

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what provision her Department makes for people who when making a benefit application are unable to respond with bank documentation and other relevant paperwork within the requested 10 days.

Alok Sharma: DWP administers a number of benefits with different eligibility requirements. In order to ensure that we pay people their correct benefit in a timely way, we may need to ask for information or documentation from a claimant to support their application within a particular timeframe. We will prompt claimants using a variety of methods such as SMS, phone call or a message on claimants’ UC journal. Where information is not received, we can consider extending the timeframe.If a claimant does not have a bank account, DWP does have other methods of payment which can be used in these circumstances, for example, a Post Office card account (POca). In certain circumstances a claimant can request to be paid by the Payment Exception Service. This is a way for people who do not have a bank account to collect benefit or pension payments. Further detail is on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/payment-exception-service.

Universal Credit

Ruth George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants of universal credit have had a deduction from the standard allowance (a) at the 40 per cent and (b) above the 40 per cent level.

Alok Sharma: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 05 March 2018 to PQ 130822. An update of these figures is not available as the Department is currently quality assuring the data.

Universal Credit

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her statement of 7 June 2018, Official Report, column 19WS, when those claimants who were in receipt of severe disability premium and have moved on to universal credit will begin receiving the ongoing payment; and how those claimants will be informed of their entitlement to that payment.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her statement of 7 June 2018, Official Report, column 19WS, how the additional payment will be calculated; and whether that payment will be made as a lump sum to claimants.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the draft Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Managed Migration) Amendment Regulations 2018, how the value of the transitional payment was calculated.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the draft Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Managed Migration) Amendment Regulations 2018, for what reasons universal credit claimants with limited capability for work and work related activity will receive a transitional payment of £80 per month; and what assessment he has made of the value of this payment in comparison to changes in those claimants' income as a result of transitioning to universal credit.

Alok Sharma: The Department is unable to provide precise detail or timetables related to the Severe Disability Premium proposals until the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Managed Migration) Amendment Regulations 2018 is debated and agreed by Parliament. Further detail on the proposed rates can be found in the explanatory memorandum and letter sent to the Social Security Advisory Committee at:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/moving-claimants-to-universal-credit-from-other-working-age-benefits

Employment: Disability

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Questions 161189, 161190 and 161191 on employment: disability, how her Department is evaluating the success of the Disability Confident scheme if job outcomes attributable to the scheme are not recorded.

Sarah Newton: We have commissioned external research which will assess the extent to which employers who sign up to Disability Confident scheme change their attitudes and behaviours in relation to disability employment, including offering more employment opportunities, supporting existing employees who have or acquire disabilities, changing recruitment practices to encourage more disabled applicants and making workplace adjustments to retain existing employees. We expect to publish results from this research later this year.

Universal Credit

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what considerations were made by his Department prior to removing payments for the limited capability for work element of universal credit for applications made after 3 April 2017.

Alok Sharma: The changes, which removed provision for the Employment and Support Allowance Work-related Activity Component and the Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work Element, were part of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 and were subject to extensive parliamentary scrutiny. The Department consulted the Social Security Advisory Committee; attended meetings with the Committee and considered their points about making sure that people who claimed Employment and Support Allowance, or Universal Credit on health related grounds, before 3 April 2017 were able to retain access to the additional payments thereafter. Additionally, the Department held regular meetings throughout with stakeholders and sought feedback. This included inviting them to review the learning and development products, our operational guidance and written communications intended for claimants. A Test and Learn approach has been implemented into Universal Credit which aims to continuously review and improve process, guidance and service.

Universal Credit

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who applied for universal credit on or after 3 April 2017 have been granted the limited capability for work element.

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been awarded the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity for universal credit in each month in (a) 2017 and (b) 2018.

Alok Sharma: The information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Department publishes statistics on the total number of households in receipt of limited capability work entitlement – either the limited capability for work element or the limited capability for work and work related activity element. This information is available via Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Personal Independence Payment: Invalid Vehicles

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the number of personal independence payments who have had their mobility car removed following a period of more than 28 days in hospital.

Sarah Newton: The Department does not hold this information. Motability have however informed the Department that, depending on the expected length of stay and the customer’s preferences, they will discuss the options that are available and in most cases will be able to leave the car with the customer during their stay in hospital.

Personal Independence Payment: Terminal Illnesses

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment claimants claiming under terminal illness rules have had their payments stopped because of a stay of more than 28 days in a hospital.

Sarah Newton: The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Poverty

Danielle Rowley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has commissioned research on the causes of work poverty in the last 12 months.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department for Work and Pensions has not commissioned any such research. The Department’s published Household Below Average Income National Statistics shows that work continues to offer people the best opportunity to get out of poverty and become self-reliant; adults of working age living in working families are 4 times less likely to be in relative poverty than those living in workless households.The National Statistics also provide a good understanding of those in in-work poverty and show that the majority (around three-quarters) are those with part-time work only, single earner couples, or those in full-time self-employment. Universal Credit is designed to help by promoting full-time work, employment for partners where possible, and smoother incentives to increase hours. Claimants who are self-employed will have access to mentors to improve their businesses so that they can increase their earnings.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Pets: Transport

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the status of the Post Implementation Review of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011 is.

George Eustice: The Post Implementation Review (PIR) will evaluate the effectiveness of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011. A public consultation to inform the review was conducted and responses published in June 2017. Defra is very grateful to all those who took the time to respond to this consultation. We intend to publish the review in the autumn. Defra will also use the many comments made by respondents that directly related to the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 (the EU Pet Travel Scheme) to inform any future policy development regarding pet travel that may be undertaken as a consequence of the UK’s June 2016 decision to leave the European Union.

Nature Conservation: EU Law

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to implement the Birds and Habitats Directive in the UK.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives in the UK is devolved. In England, the Directives are implemented through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

Wildlife: Trade

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to transpose EU Wildlife Trade Regulations into UK law.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The European Union (Withdrawal) Act includes provisions to ensure existing EU environmental law continues to have effect in UK law. This will ensure that, wherever possible, the same rules and laws will apply the day after we leave as they did before. The UK Government will ensure continued compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on EU Exit, through converting the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations into a UK-specific regime under the powers set out in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.

Seals: Trade

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to transpose the EU Seal Products Regulation into UK law after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: We will be bringing forward legislation under the EU Withdrawal Act to ensure that the provisions contained in the current EU Seal Products regulations, banning imports of seal products from commercial hunts, are retained and operable in UK law after we leave the EU.

Furs: Imports

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to extend the prohibition on fur imports to all species (a) farmed and (b) trapped commercially for fur after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The Government shares the British public’s high regard for animal welfare. The UK continues to support higher animal welfare standards worldwide as the best way of phasing out cruel and inhumane fur farming and trapping practices that are banned here. When we leave the EU we will retain all current EU regulations banning imports of cat and dog fur and of seal products from commercial hunts, as well as controls on products from endangered species and from inhumane trapping. It will be open to governments in future, once the UK has left the EU, to consider whether they wish to go further than current EU arrangements.

Fish: Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to develop a strategy for wild-caught fish to (a) reduce stress during capture and handling and (b) improve the humane slaughter of those fish.

George Eustice: Defra is aware of the concerns relating to fish welfare and have offered to help bring together interested parties to discuss and further understand concerns.   We are committed to maintaining our high animal welfare standards and to keep improving where possible. We have made it clear that as we leave the EU we will maintain and enhance our reputation as a global leader on animal welfare.

Animals: Trade

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ban the (a) import and (b) export of live animals after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: I refer the Honourable Member to the reply given to the Honourable Member for Derby North, on 25 June 2018 PQ UIN 155257.

Pigs: Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require pig farmers use free farrowing systems.

George Eustice: We are committed to maintaining our high animal welfare standards and to keep improving where possible. We have made it clear that as we leave the EU we will maintain and enhance our reputation as a global leader on animal welfare.   Our aim is to get to a point where traditional farrowing crates are obsolete and where any new system protects the welfare of the sow, as well as her piglets. Important steps have been made on the use of free farrowing systems, but more advances are needed before compulsory replacement of farrowing crates can be recommended.

Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to safeguard the welfare of (a) dairy cows, (b) beef cattle, (c) sheep, (d) ducks, (e) turkeys, (f) farmed fish, (g) decapod crustaceans and (h) cephalopods after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The UK already has some of the highest standards of animal welfare, underpinned by existing legislation and farmed animal welfare codes.   This Government has made clear that we intend to retain our existing environmental and animal welfare standards once we have left the EU.   The EU (Withdrawal) Act will convert the existing body of EU environmental and animal welfare law into UK law.   We are committed to maintaining our high animal welfare standards and to keep improving where possible.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to reduce the maximum permitted broiler stocking density after the UK has left the EU.

George Eustice: Under our current regulations, producers in Great Britain are not permitted to stock meat chickens at the highest densities allowed in many other countries in the EU.   We are committed to maintaining our high animal welfare standards and to keep improving where possible. We have made it clear that as we leave the EU, we will maintain and enhance our reputation as a global leader on animal welfare.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ban the use of enriched hen cages after the UK has left the EU.

George Eustice: The new statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens and Pullets, which provides improved and up-to-date guidance for owners and keepers on how to comply with legislation relating to all permitted production systems, will come into force on 8 August. This reflects the latest scientific and veterinary advice and should lead to enhanced laying hen welfare.   The Government fully supports consumer choice and the requirement for clear labelling on egg packaging provides the information for consumers to make that choice. We have no current plans to ban the use of enriched ‘colony’ caged hens in egg production, but all the major supermarkets have said they will stop selling eggs from hens kept in enriched cages by 2025.

Pigs: Animal Welfare

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will consider the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to phase out the use of CO2 gas for the stunning of pigs before slaughter.

George Eustice: The Government is committed to improving animal welfare and, due to our concerns over the use of carbon dioxide in high concentrations for slaughtering pigs, we are jointly funding a research project in this area with the Humane Slaughter Association. Researchers at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh are carrying out a two year research project to determine whether Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning might be a more humane way to stun pigs during commercial slaughter.   The use of carbon dioxide in high concentration for the commercial stunning of pigs is permitted under Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at time of killing. Whilst the UK remains a full member of the EU and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force, the Government will continue to implement and apply EU legislation.

Dogs: Smuggling

Andrea Jenkyns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report Puppy smuggling, a tragedy ignored, published by Dogs Trust in July 2017, whether his Department has made representations to the countries cited in that report.

George Eustice: This Department takes puppy smuggling extremely seriously.   The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has raised cases of abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme, based on evidence from UK enforcement bodies, with those authorities in the relevant Member States. This includes writing to the CVO’s Polish counterpart in October 2016 and Hungarian counterpart in November 2016 to notify them of the identification of several non-complaint puppies originating from their countries, which had been seized on entry to the UK. The CVO at the time of publication also had a number of exchanges with his Lithuanian counterpart.

Eels: Lough Weagh

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Secretary of State is taking to protect the eel industry in Lough Weagh when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: We are exploring all options to ensure trade in the European Eel can be maintained. This includes compiling the scientific evidence that may be needed to ensure that trade in Lough Neagh eels is compatible with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species post EU exit.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Brexit

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether any official restrictions have been placed on the ability of officials working on policy relating to the UK leaving the EU in DEFRA agencies to conduct official discussions with (a) port authorities, (b) major retailers, and (c) haulage firms.

George Eustice: Ministers and officials have engaged with industry representatives on operational issues around leaving the EU. This has fed into policy work. There have been some limited restrictions on the sharing of information that would be sensitive in the context of ongoing negotiations with the EU.

Agriculture: Fertilisers

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 13 of his Department's Clean Air Strategy 2018, whether his Department has identified the reason for increased agricultural fertiliser use since 2015; and what steps his Department is taking to reverse the associated 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, when he plans to publish the national code of good agricultural practice.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, what steps his Department plans to take to support farmers to make investments in farm infrastructure and equipment that will reduce emissions; and what the timeframe is for the introduction of that support.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of his Clean Air Strategy 2018, whether he plans to include in his forthcoming agriculture Bill funding for targeted action to protect habitats affected by ammonia; and if he will make a statement.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy, what funding his Department plans to allocate to tackle the effect of ammonia from agriculture on natural habitats; and what the timeframe is for the allocation of that funding.

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with referenced to page 64 of the Clean Air Strategy which independent experts he plans to comprise the board that will make recommendations on the maximum limits of fertiliser application.

George Eustice: The Government launched a consultation on the Clean Air Strategy on 22 May. This ambitious Strategy aims to cut air pollution and save lives by achieving substantial reductions in emissions of five pollutants, including ammonia, which are harmful to human health and the environment.   The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory report published in 2018 provides estimates of ammonia emissions from agriculture in the year 2016. The report attributes the 3.2% rise in ammonia emissions between 2015 and 2016 to a slight increase in numbers of dairy cattle and an increase in the use of urea-based fertilisers. The report indicates that the increased use of fertilisers is likely to be due to price variation between different fertiliser types.   Farming accounts for 88% of ammonia emissions in the UK. The Clean Air Strategy proposes concerted action to tackle these emissions by requiring and supporting farmers to invest in the equipment that will reduce emissions. It includes proposals to regulate to reduce ammonia emissions from farming and consults on three approaches. Proposals include regulations to reduce emissions from storage and spreading of slurry and manure and from use of urea-based fertilisers.   The Strategy sets out the support that has been provided to farmers through the Farm Ammonia Reduction Grant which offered grants for covering slurry stores and provided on-farm advice. It also highlights the grants now available through the Countryside Productivity Scheme to help farmers purchase manure management equipment including low-emission spreaders and through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for slurry tank and lagoon covers for farmers in priority water catchments.   Defra has worked with farming industry organisations to develop a Code of good agricultural practice which will be published later this year.   As set out in the Clean Air Strategy a group of independent specialists will be recruited to make recommendations on the maximum limits that should be applied for fertiliser application. Details of the members of this group will be available in due course.   The Agriculture Bill will set the foundations for a future domestic agricultural policy as the UK leaves the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy. As set out in the Health and Harmony consultation, future financial support for farming should see public money paying for public goods. The new environmental land management scheme, underpinned by natural capital principles, will contribute to delivering against many of the key outcomes set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Clean Growth Strategy. These include clean air; clean and plentiful water; thriving plants and wildlife, which habitat protection would contribute to; reduced risk of harm from environmental hazards such as flooding and drought; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement for the natural environment and mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Food: Origin Marking

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to seek to permit UK food to continue to be classed under EU country of origin labelling after the UK has left the EU.

George Eustice: After the UK has left the EU, food originating in the UK will no longer be able to indicate EU origin. Food that is produced in the EU using UK ingredients will, after the UK leaves the EU, need to state that non-EU (or UK) food is used in the production of the food.

Food: Origin Marking

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on food (a) prices and (b) availability of UK food products ceasing to fall under EU country of origin labelling after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: The most important drivers of change in the cost of food are commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices. These forces affect all countries whether or not they are members of the EU. After the UK has left the EU, food originating in the UK will no longer be able to indicate EU origin. However, most foods are either sold under mandatory country of origin labelling requirements on fresh meats or voluntary country of origin schemes. Existing provisions for mandatory country of origin labelling will be brought across to UK legislation through the EU Withdrawal Act. We therefore do not envisage any significant impacts on either food availability or prices.

Fly-tipping

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 51 of the Government's 2017 Litter Strategy, what progress his Department has made on working with HM Prison and Probation Service to involve fly tipping offenders in clearing fly tipped waste.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome has been of the activities of the working group on roadside litter referred to on page 56 of the 2017 Litter Strategy for England.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 60 of the 2017 Litter Strategy for England, what progress the Government has made in reviewing the mechanism by which councils and other land-managers are held to account for maintaining their land to the standards set out in the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: The initial meetings of the roadside litter working group agreed on the need to improve councils’ enforcement powers against littering from vehicles as a priority. With effect from April 2018, we have given district councils in England outside London (London boroughs already have similar powers) new powers to hold the keeper of a vehicle responsible for littering offences committed from it.   During 2017-18, Defra has prioritised work to deliver the Government’s commitments relating to enforcement. As part of that work, we have proposed an amendment to the Code of Practice to incorporate the improved guidance on enforcement.   During 2018-19, we will take forward a broader update and review of the Code of Practice, and will work with HM Prison & Probation Service to explore opportunities to promote activities involving clearing litter and fly-tipped waste as part of Community Payback schemes, in circumstances in which community volunteers are unlikely to be operating.   As set out in the Litter Strategy, we are committed to providing an annual report on our progress for the rest of this Parliament. Our first annual report on delivery of the Litter Strategy will be published shortly, providing an update on our progress to date, and setting out some of the further activities we intend to take forward over the next year.

Public Footpaths and Cycleways: Rural Areas

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the quality of (a) footpaths and (b) cycle-paths in rural areas throughout England.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Public rights of way are a local matter and are handled by individual local highway authorities.   It is up to local authorities to assess the quality of the rights of way network in their area and perform maintenance accordingly. They are also required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) to plan improvements to their network, which is usually available on the authority’s website. I would hope local authorities, whenever possible, would look at the needs of all users, including walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Balloons and Sky Lanterns: Litter

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the legislation regulating the release of helium-filled balloons and sky lanterns.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: There is no legislation that specifically regulates the release of helium-filled balloons and sky lanterns. The National Association of Balloon Artists and Suppliers, the trade association for the balloon industry, has published a code of conduct to minimise the environmental impact of balloon releases. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has published a code of practice for sky lanterns to help ensure that they are manufactured to be safe and are sold responsibly. Local councils have powers to restrict or regulate the release of balloons and sky lanterns on land that they control. Councils can also take an individual to court, or issue a fixed penalty notice, if they believe them to be guilty of a littering offence.

Pâté De Foie Gras: Imports

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban the importation of foie gras after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: We have some of the highest standards of animal welfare and the production of foie gras by force feeding is banned in the UK as it is incompatible with our domestic legislation. However, foie gras is produced in some EU member states. Once we leave the European Union, it will be open to government to review the approach to foie gras imports and sales in the UK.

Dogs: Smuggling

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many puppies were seized at the ports of (a) Dover and (b) Folkestone and placed in quarantine under the Puppy Pilot scheme in each month between 1 December 2017 and 30 June 2018.

George Eustice: The number of puppies seized and quarantined at Dover and Folkestone under the Puppy Pilot from 1 December 2017 to 30 June 2018 are as follows:Puppies quarantinedMonthDoverFolkestoneDec-17203Jan-1850Feb-18120Mar-1850Apr-1821May-18546Jun-1820

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

George Eustice: We do not hold a central record in the core Department of all employees, either paid or unpaid, who have previously been Members of Parliament.

Agriculture

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate market volatility in the agriculture sector.

George Eustice: We want to help farmers manage risks and plan more effectively. The best way of improving resilience in the farming sector is to support increases in farm productivity, promote better animal and plant health, and to make sure farmers have access to the tools they need to effectively manage their risk. Recognising that farm business incomes fluctuate year to year, Government expanded tax smoothing to five years in 2015.   We are reviewing what data may be needed to support the development of market-based tools to manage volatility - for example futures markets or index insurance tools which rely on transparent data reporting. We are also considering how to improve the Government’s response to major crises.

Food: Production

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to increase the UK's level of self-sufficiency in food; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: The UK’s current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods. This has remained steady over the last decade and is not low in the context of the last 150 years. Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. The UK sources food from a diverse range of countries, in addition to a strong domestic production base. This will not change after leaving the EU. The Government wants to see an efficient, productive and competitive domestic farming industry able to grow more, sell more and export more of our fantastic British food.

Water Supply

Gillian Keegan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of water security for farmers and growers as a result of the closure of the European Agricultural Fund's Water Resource Management grant.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: Defra keeps water security for farmers and growers under review. However, as the Countryside Productivity Water Resource Management offer was a relatively small scheme offering localised support for individual farmers and growers, we have no plans to undertake a detailed assessment of its impact on national water security.   The Government’s abstraction plan sets out how the Environment Agency will develop strong local partnerships with abstractors, including farmers, and catchment groups. The partnerships will work to agree local solutions that improve water security and protect the environment.

Wetlands: Conservation

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 163204 on Wetlands: Conservation, what duties are placed on local authorities to assess the effect of a proposed development on the listed features of a Ramsar site.

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2018 to Question 163204 on Wetlands: Conservation, whether local authorities are required to consider alternative solutions when determining a planning proposal with potential damaging effects on a Ramsar site.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: It is government policy that competent authorities need to make sure that their assessment of the impacts of plans and projects takes into account the full range of Ramsar interests for which the listed or proposed site has been designated and the site’s vulnerabilities to any effects of the proposed development. Where an adverse effect on the integrity of a Ramsar site cannot be ruled out, alone or in combination with other plans and projects, the competent authority can only consent, in the absence of feasible alternatives, on grounds of overriding public interest and where compensatory measures are secured.

Agriculture: UK Trade with EU

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that UK farmers are not compromised by tariffs on future exports of agricultural produce to the EU.

George Eustice: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State routinely discusses agricultural trade with his Cabinet colleagues. The Government recently published a White Paper setting out its vision for a future free trade agreement with the EU which would allow tariff free trade and would accept some regulatory alignment in agri-food technical and food standards to eliminate any friction at the border.

Ofwat

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for water company  debt equity structure, interest payments and dividends of Qfwat recommendations on company borrowing for PR19.

Dr Thérèse Coffey: On 9 April, Ofwat announced a package of reforms for the water sector, which push companies to share benefits of their financial arrangements with customers, increase their financial resilience, and ensure greater transparency in dividends and executive pay.   The Government fully supports Ofwat’s reforms to the upcoming price review process to make water companies work as diligently for customers as for their shareholders.

Agriculture: Migrant Workers

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues ensuring that farm productivity will not be affected by changes in the availability of non-UK EU labour when the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: Access to a sufficient and appropriately-skilled workforce is essential to continued industry growth, productivity and safety, and the Government is determined to get the best deal for the UK in our negotiations to leave the EU, including for our world-leading food and farming industry.Defra Ministers have ongoing discussions with a range of Government departments, including the Home Office, about securing the workforce that the farming industry needs for the future.

Food: Standards

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the oral evidence given before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on 20 December 2017, what steps he has taken to ensure the maintenance of high food production standards for (a) domestic and (b) imported food after the UK leaves the EU.

George Eustice: UK food law applies equally to food that is imported and food produced in the UK. When we leave the European Union, we will maintain our current standards. We have no intention of undercutting our own reputation for quality by lowering our food and animal welfare standards.   Defra are working closely with the Food Standards Agency and Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that the regulatory regime for food safety remains robust as the UK leaves the European Union, in order to protect public health and retain the confidence of consumers.

Home Office

Immigration Controls: Airports

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how UK Border Force has performed against its target of processing non-EEA passengers at UK airports within 45 minutes in each month since January 2018.

Caroline Nokes: Border Force service standards are that 95% of British and other European Economic Area (EEA) passengers, from the point they join an immigration queue, are seen by an officer within 25 minutes. For non-EEA passengers, the service standard is that 95% of passengers are seen by an officer within 45 minutes.Published data on the clearance of passengers at the border can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-force-transparency-data-may-2018.

UK Border Force: Airports

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of on-duty UK Border Force officers deployed at airports in each year since 2008.

Caroline Nokes: We will always ensure we have the resources and workforce we need to keep the border secure. This is achieved through a multi- layered system of capabilities, including: people, technology, intelligence, and joint working. Border Force is committed to ensuring that passengers arriving in the UK receive an excellent service. Operational units across the Home Office actively monitor workflows to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet demand.We are investing in new technology, like e-Passport gates and motion detection technology, to improve security and prevent illegal entry to the UK to improve security, benefit passengers and deliver efficiencies. Border Force invested a total of £90.4m in new technology and capability in 15-16 and 16-17 combined and a further £63.5m in 17-18.The Home Office and Border Force is working with other Government Departments to develop our future approach at the border. We will ensure Border Force has the resources and workforce required to keep the border secure.

Refugees: Passports

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when after receiving refugee status people can expect to have their passports returned.

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what processes his Department has in place to ensure the timely return of passports and official documentation to people after their immigration status has been decided.

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the speed of his Department's processes for (a) collecting and (b) reissuing passports.

Caroline Nokes: Where a decision is taken to grant leave, documents will be returned in accordance with current processes. These processes act as a checklist to ensure that relevant documents are collected and returned in a timely manner.Home Office officials have worked with Royal Mail to ensure the process to return documents is secure and timely.Section 17 of the Asylum & Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Act 2004 gives the power to retain documents, such as a passport, where the Secretary of State or an immigration officer suspects a migrant is liable to removal and the retention of the document may facilitate removal.The 2004 Act does not allow for the indefinite retention of documents. Where a person is later granted leave, in whatever capacity, the document must be returned to the holder unless it is a forgery.The Home Office guidance can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/640156/Retention-of-documents-v8.0ext.pdf

Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigration cases are outstanding for his Department that have not been resolved within the target time.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applicants have waited for over a year for their visas applications to be resolved in each year for which data is available.

Caroline Nokes: Published data on visa processing times, including the percentage of visas processed within published service standards, is published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-transparency-data (then listed by publication date under ‘UK Visas & Immigration’).

Migrant Workers: Ophthalmology

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will consider applications for optometrists within the sub-category of High Value/Inward Investment in respect of Certificate of Sponsorship allocations under the Tier 2 Visa guidelines.

Caroline Nokes: The high value inward investment provision is designed for businesses which have their headquarters and principal place of business outside of the UK and that are relocating or investing new capital expenditure of £27 million or creating at least 21 new jobs in the UK. Jobs which fall under the provision are exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test and the Tier 2 cap..

Ammunition: Sales

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make it an offence to purchase component parts of ammunition with the intent to manufacture.

Mr Nick Hurd: Firearms law already controls the purchase and sale of the key components of ammunition. It is an offence to sell or buy primers unless the purchaser is suitably authorised, for example by being a registered firearms dealer or holding a firearm certificate permitting the acquisition of relevant ammunition. The acquisition of gunpowder is controlled under explosives law. Legislation also controls the manufacture, supply, purchase and possession of complete ammunition.We have no plans at present to introduce further controls on ammunition or the component parts of ammunition, but we keep legislation under review and will not hesitate to act should the need arise.

Official Visits: USA

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the total cost to police forces in England and Wales of policing the state visit by President Donald Trump in July 2018.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office has made no estimate of the total costs to policing in England and Wales. The three forces who hosted aspects of the visit (Essex, Thames Valley and the Metropolitan Police) are currently compiling information on cost of their respective operations, including for mutual aid support from other forces.Police forces who experience unplanned or exceptional costs may apply for additional funding through the Police Special Grant, which we expect to be the mechanism used in this instance.

Emergency Services: Training

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department plans to work with the voluntary sector to improve knowledge and understanding around (a) HIV and (b) other blood-borne viruses among (i) police and (ii) fire services in England and Wales.

Mr Nick Hurd: We have already held productive discussions in January with partners from the sexual health sector about this, in relation to all emergency service workers, including police officers and firefighters. We are planning further meetings with these partners as well as Public Health England, policing and fire partners to ensure that any guidance relating to HIV and BBVs is accurate.

Official Visits: USA

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner has submitted an application to his Department for Special Grant funding for additional costs associated with policing the visit of Donald Trump to Oxfordshire.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office has not yet received a request for Special Grant funding from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner. The force are currently compiling information on costs of the operation.

Extradition: EU Countries

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extraditions were successfully completed from each of the other EU countries in each of the five years prior to the introduction of the European Arrest Warrant to (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland; and if he will publish a list of those extraditions by the category of crime committed.

Mr Nick Hurd: This information is not routinely published.However, some of the information is available in the Review of the United Kingdom’s Extradition Arrangements published in October 2011:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-the-united-kingdoms-extradition-arrangements

Extradition: EU Countries

Sir Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extraditions were successfully completed from each of the other EU countries in each of the last five years following the introduction of the European Arrest Warrant to (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland; and if he will publish a list of those extraditions by the category of crime committed.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Home Office does not hold the information requested.However, statistics on the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) are published by the National Crime Agency each year. These figures are published at: http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/european-arrest-warrant-statistics

Offensive Weapons: Sales

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to create an aggravated offence of attacking shopkeepers who refuse to sell a corrosive substance or sharp weapon.

Victoria Atkins: We have no current plans to introduce a specific offence relating to attacks on shopkeepers who refuse to sell a corrosive substance or sharp weapon. Violence is unacceptable wherever it takes place, and violence or abuse against retail staff should not be tolerated in any circumstances. There are number of existing serious offences which are already available to deal with attacks or threats to shopkeepers, and it is open to the courts to take account of any aggravating factors when passing sentence.More generally, we are working with the retail sector and the police, through the National Retail Crime Steering Group, to explore what more can be done to tackle violence and abuse against retail staff.

Official Visits: USA

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of police officers who were on duty for the purpose of policing the recent visit by President Donald Trump.

Mr Nick Hurd: The number of officers deployed for the visit of the President of the United States is an operational matter for the police.The Home Office worked closely with relevant police forces prior to the event to ensure there was a robust policing plan in place for the President’s visit.

Police

Ms Marie Rimmer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the implications for policing in (a) Merseyside and (b) England and Wales of an increase in crimes recorded and a fall in criminal charges brought since 2014-15.

Mr Nick Hurd: The likelihood of a crime resulting in a charge can vary for a number of reasons, including the complexity or severity of an offence or the difficulty in identifying a suspect.Changes in charge rates are likely to be the result of a combination of improved crime recording by the police and forces taking on more complex crimes which take longer to receive an outcome, such as domestic abuse or sexual offences.The statistics show that there has been a societal shift towards victims reporting ‘hidden’ crimes to the police and we welcome that more victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are feeling empowered to come forward.We recognise that demand on the police is changing and have responded positively by providing a strong and comprehensive settlement that provides a £460m increase in overall funding in 2018/19, including increased funding to tackle counter-terrorism and additional funding for local policing through Council Tax precept.

CCTV

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is taking steps to ensure a consistent standard of video surveillance systems and readers so that all CCTV recordings are accessible (a) to the police and security services and (b) during criminal trials; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Nick Hurd: The role of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner is to encourage compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice. The code provides guidance on the appropriate and effective use of surveillance camera systems by relevant authorities (as defined by section 33 of the Protection of Freedoms 2012 Act). These relevant authorities include police forces and the National Crime Agency. Other operators and users of surveillance camera systems in England and Wales are encouraged to adopt the code voluntarily.The code also sets out guiding principles that should apply to all surveillance camera systems in public places. One of these principles is that systems are capable of providing good quality images and other information which are fit for purpose.In addition, as part of the CJS efficiency programme ‘ClickShare’ technology has been rolled out across criminal courts in England and Wales. ClickShare equipment and software can be used to present evidence in court such as CCTV footage.

Immigration: Judicial Review

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many successful judicial review cases relating to section 322(5) of the Immigration Rules there were in 2017; and how many such cases have yet to be decided.

Caroline Nokes: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Barrow and Furness, UIN 156399 on 26 June 2018.

British Nationality

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average cost was of processing (a) a child's citizenship application, (b) an adult's citizenship application; and how many applications for children's citizenship his Department received in 2017.

Caroline Nokes: The Home Office published a list of Border, Immigration and Citizenship (BIC) application fees and estimated unit costs for 2017/18. The fees and cost to process applications for citizenship applications can be found on page 16 of the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/606616/Unit_cost_table_2017.pdfThe information available on the numbers of applications for British citizenship broken down by naturalisation and registration is published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, Citizenship volume table cz_01_q at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2018/list-of-tables#citizenship.The total number of applications for registration made in 2017 totals 41,905.Applications for citizenship as minor children represent the large majority of those counted in the category ‘Applications for registration’.

Imitation Firearms

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a review of legislation on imitation firearms which do not fall under the definition of Section 57(1) of the Firearms Act 1968.

Mr Nick Hurd: Imitation firearms which do not fall under the definition for firearms in section 57(1) of the Firearms Act 1968 are covered by existing firearms controls.Most recently, the Policing and Crime Act 2017 introduced a new offence to prevent the unlawful conversion of imitation firearms. Other controls include specifications on the manufacture of blank firing imitation firearms, and legislation to ensure that readily convertible imitation firearms must be held on a firearm certificate. Imitation firearms which are difficult to distinguish from real firearms are subject to specific controls, and it is an offence to possess an imitation firearm with the intent to cause someone to fear that unlawful violence will be used against them or another person.We have no plans at present to review the existing legislation in respect of imitation firearms, but we keep firearms law under review and will not hesitate to act should the need arise.

Undocumented Migrants: Private Rented Housing

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prosecutions have taken place for offences under the Immigration Act 2014 since the inception of Right to Rent measures in February 2016.

Caroline Nokes: There have been no prosecutions.

Visas

Tommy Sheppard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visitor visa applications were received by UK Visas and Immigration in each of the last five years by country; and what proportion of those applications were refused by country.

Caroline Nokes: Applications for visit visas are considered against Appendix V of the Immigration Rules and on a case by case basis. Detailed information on how UK Visas and Immigration makes decisions on visitor cases is published at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-guidance.Information on total entry clearance visas (the majority of which are visitor visas) broken down by nationality and outcome (grants, refusals, withdrawals, lapsed) is published in the quarterly Immigration Statistics, Visas data tables volume 1, table vi_02_q, latest edition at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2018.

Immigration Controls: Airports

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2018 to Question 158773, whether his Department consults aviation and consumer stakeholders in its reviews of the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) on UK Border Force performance.

Caroline Nokes: Border Force speaks to industry and consumer bodies on a regular basis and discussions often cover performance against Service Level Agreements.Border Force performance against Service Level Agreements is kept under review and Border Force is directly accountable to the Home Office Permanent Secretary and the Home Secretary.

Immigration Controls: Airports

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to ensure that UK Border Force service standards are raised and expected waiting times lowered as a result of airport spending on ePassport gate technology to improve throughflow of passengers at the border.

Caroline Nokes: Border Force delivery against Service Level Agreements, along with other performance indicators, is kept under constant review. Border Force seeks to provide an effective service at the border by achieving the right balance in its contribution to both the security and prosperity of the UK; objectives considered as complimentary and mutually supportive.It is our strategic intent to increase the use of e-Passport gates and other related technologies to provide enhanced security outcomes whilst also facilitating the clearance of passengers. The Government is open to working with partners to enhance Border Force capability, whether that is through better targeted interventions, or improved service standards.

Immigration Controls: Airports

Stuart C. McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether UK Border Force plans to improve its service to non-EEA passengers on their arrival in the UK in order to attract trade and investment from those countries after the UK leaves the EU.

Caroline Nokes: Border Force delivery against Service Level Agreements, along with other performance indicators, is kept under constant review. Border Force seeks to provide an effective service at the border by achieving the right balance in its contribution to both the security and prosperity of the UK; objectives considered as complimentary and mutually supportive.It is our strategic intent to increase the use of e-Passport gates and other related technologies to provide enhanced security outcomes whilst also facilitating the clearance of passengers. The Government is open to working with partners to enhance Border Force capability, whether that is through better targeted interventions, or improved service standards.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service: Finance

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of changes in the level of funding to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority on its ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

Mr Nick Hurd: Fire and rescue services have the resources they need to do their important work. Overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.3 billion in 2018/19.In 2018/19, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority will receive £60.1 million in core spending power. This is an increase of 0.9% compared with 2017/18. In addition, at March 2017, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority held £31.9 million in reserves, equivalent to 53.5% of core spending power

Asylum: Scotland

Lesley Laird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people claiming asylum in Scotland have had to wait longer than the Government’s six-month target for a decision on their claims in each of the last three years.

Caroline Nokes: The Home Office does not publish data relating to the number of cases where a decision has been made after 6 months.Whilst we can provide data on the current addresses of asylum claimants, data on the place of residence at the time of initial decision could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.The latest release of the asylum transparency agenda can be found in table ASY_10 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-transparency-data-may-2018

Scotland Office

Trade Unions: Scotland

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what meetings he or officials of his Department have had with (a) the Scottish Trades Union Congress and (b) individual affiliated trades unions since 1 January 2018.

David Mundell: I regularly meet with a wide range of stakeholders on a variety of issues to ensure that Scotland has a voice in Westminster. The Government publishes a list of all ministerial meetings with external bodies on departmental business on a quarterly basis and are available at gov.uk.

Food Banks: Scotland

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to visit a food bank in August 2018.

David Mundell: I currently have no plans to visit a food bank in my capacity as Secretary of State for Scotland in August 2018.

Department for Exiting the European Union

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to page 8 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, which items of EU law will be included in the common rulebook for goods including agri-food.

Mr Robin Walker: As set out in the White Paper, the common rulebook would cover those rules which are necessary to provide for frictionless trade at the border. In the case of manufactured goods, this encompasses all rules that could be checked at the border, as they set the requirements for placing manufactured goods on the market. For agricultural products, food and drink, this includes relevant Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rules to safeguard human, animal and plant health.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 31 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018,  whether the parliamentary procedure there envisaged involves primary legislation or secondary legislation.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 55 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what proposals the Government plans to bring before the House in respect of that parliamentary scrutiny.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will publish his proposal for the mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny referenced in paragraph 55 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will set out the mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny envisaged in paragraph 55 of chapter four of the White Paper on the Future Relationship between the UK and the EU, cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018.

Mr Robin Walker: The institutional provisions set out in the White Paper will ensure accountability in relation to the agreements. Parliamentary scrutiny is integral to ensuring accountability and the Government recognises the expertise in the existing scrutiny structures in the Commons and the Lords. The UK Parliament will have a role in overseeing and scrutinising any proposals that relate to ongoing cooperation between the UK and the EU under the agreements. The Government will bring forward further legislation, as appropriate, to give effect to the future relationship in the UK.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 34 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the non-compliance measures there referred to are.

Mr Robin Walker: There is no reference to non-compliance in paragraph 34. Paras 44-49 cover non-compliance. The specific nature of any non-compliance measures will be subject to negotiation.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 32 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the factors there referred to are.

Mr Robin Walker: As set out in Paragraph 32 of Chapter Four, in deciding whether and how to deal with differences as they arise, the UK would be conscious of a number of factors including; our commitment to ongoing harmonisation with the relevant rules as stated; the need to maintain consistent interpretation of those rules; and other factors such as our commitments in respect of Northern Ireland.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 33 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the UK and the EU, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the differences are between the current prevailing legal principles relating to the CJEU and the approach to the case law of the EU there envisaged.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 35 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the difference is between the current prevailing legal principles relating to the Court of Justice of the European Union and the obligation there envisaged on paying due regard to EU case law.

Mr Robin Walker: The Prime Minister has always been clear that in leaving the EU, we will bring about an end to the jurisdiction of the CJEU in the UK. The proposal set out in the White Paper delivers on that commitment. No longer will courts in the UK be able to refer cases to the CJEU, nor will the CJEU be able to arbitrate disputes between the UK and the EU. The CJEU will no longer have the power to make laws for the UK and the principles of direct effect and of the supremacy of EU law will no longer apply in the UK. Instead, rights will be enforced in the UK by UK courts and in the EU by EU courts. Where the UK agrees to retain a common rulebook with the EU, it will be important for businesses and citizens here and in the EU that those areas are interpreted and applied consistently. The UK would commit by treaty that its courts would pay due regard to CJEU case law, insofar as this was relevant to the matter before them. This is a recognition of legal fact - no other court can bind the EU on the meaning of EU law. Of course, this is in practice what our Courts would do anyway, and are free to do with the judgements of foreign courts. Importantly, UK courts would not be able to make preliminary references to the CJEU as once the UK has left the EU, such references would no longer be appropriate or necessary.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 47 on page 94 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what those financial penalties are.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 47 on page 94 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the obligations are which could be suspended.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 47 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the financial penalties will be.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 47 of Chapter Four of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what the obligations are which could be suspended.

Mr Robin Walker: Once an agreement is reached between the UK and the EU on the shape of the future relationship, there is no reason to expect that either party will break the commitments the UK and the EU have made to each other. However, as is normal in international agreements, the UK and the EU will still need to agree on what should happen if one party is in breach of the agreements.As the White Paper says, suspension measures should be rarely used, and when used should be limited, with priority given to those non-compliance measures which cause least damage to the functioning of the agreement. A financial penalty is another potential non-compliance measure. By way of example, the US has included financial compensation in eleven free trade agreements, including US-Australia and US-South Korea. Any non-compliance measures taken should end once any non-compliance has ended and where there is ongoing non-compliance measures should be renewed by notifying the Joint Committee.

Brexit

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 7 of page 14 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what it is proposed should be included in the non-regression provisions; and what level of detail will be specified in such provisions.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to sub-paragraphs 108(c) and (d) on page 38 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what it is proposed should be included in the non-regression provisions; and what level of detail will be specified in such provisions.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraphs 118 and 123 of page 39 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what it is proposed should be included in the non-regression provisions; and what level of detail will be specified in such provisions.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraph 7 of page 14 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, whether it is proposed that the non-regression provisions cover all relevant rules on the statute book; and whether those rules could still be amended under those non-regression provisions.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to sub-paragraphs 108(c) and (d) on page 38 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, whether it is proposed that the non-regression provisions cover all relevant rules on the statute book; and whether those rules could still be amended under those non-regression provisions.

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, with reference to paragraphs 118 and 119 of page 39 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, whether it is proposed that the non-regression provisions cover all relevant rules on the statute book; and whether those rules could still be amended under those non-regression provisions.

Mr Robin Walker: This Government has been clear that the UK will maintain high environmental, climate change, and labour standards once it has left the EU. In recognition of these ambitious, domestic choices, the Government proposes that as the UK leaves the EU, both parties should commit to the non-regression of environmental and labour standards. Our climate change agenda is set out in domestic law, and our commitments are more ambitious than those that arise from our current obligations under EU law. The UK will maintain its world-leading climate standards after we leave the EU. Across all three areas, the exact details will be subject to negotiation. In future, all laws in the UK will be legislated for by Parliament or a devolved legislative and subject to appropriate oversight and scrutiny.

EU Institutions

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what estimate he has made of the total cost of contributing to the EU agencies the Government will seek participation in after the UK has left the EU.

Mr Robin Walker: The UK wants to explore with the EU the terms on which the UK could remain part of specific agencies which are particularly important to future cooperation in their area. We have been clear that we will make an appropriate financial contribution, dependent on the level of participation. The arrangements that apply will be a matter for negotiations with the EU.

Treasury

Tax Avoidance

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on revenue to the public purse of corporations hiring workers as self-employed to circumvent their employer’s national insurance contributions and workers’ rights liabilities as a result of changes to IR35 regulations.

Mel Stride: The Government is committed to robustly tackling false self-employment. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will investigate any evidence suggesting companies may have misclassified individuals for tax purposes. In these cases, HMRC will identify the facts and take steps to ensure the right tax and National Insurance contributions are paid. Where the off-payroll working rules (IR35) apply, employer’s National Insurance contributions are payable. In April 2017, the Government introduced reform to IR35 for the public sector meaning responsibility shifted for determining whether the rules apply, from the individual’s own company to the public sector body engaging them. Early tax receipts are broadly in line with what was expected from the reform and the forecast of what the measure would raise.

Children: Day Care

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of tax-free childcare on employer engagement.

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of the number of parents applying for tax-free childcare.

Elizabeth Truss: For question 165013 I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave the honourable member for Birmingham Selly Oak on 30 January 2018 (124940). The forecast expenditure on Tax-Free Childcare was published by the Office for Budget Responsibility in March 2018 at http://cdn.obr.uk/EFO-MaRch_2018.pdf

Revenue and Customs: Recruitment

Alex Norris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has for staff recruitment in relation to (a) numbers, (b) timing and (c) locations for different possible scenarios for the UK leaving the EU.

Mel Stride: Any potential changes to staffing levels within HM Revenue and Customs will be dependent on the outcome of EU exit negotiations. HMRC continue to assess how the Government’s priorities and the ongoing negotiations will impact on the workforce and capabilities required. HMRC’s customs work is not geographically specific and it will continue to have offices in each region of the UK.

Brexit

Alex Norris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans HMRC has to consult with (a) businesses and (b) the accountancy profession on the implications of the UK leaving the EU.

Mel Stride: Since the referendum, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officials have met with more than 300 business and representative bodies, including meetings with accountancy firms. Throughout its engagement, HMRC has encouraged stakeholders to consider how EU Exit may impact their business. HMRC will continue to meet with business stakeholders, including the accountancy profession, over the coming months to continue to prepare business for the UK’s future outside of the European Union.

Public Expenditure: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether there will be a Barnett consequential for the Scottish budget as a result of the additional funding provided for Computing Science in education in England.

Elizabeth Truss: The additional funding for computing science in education formed part of the Skills package announced at the 2017 Autumn Budget. The Barnett Formula was applied in the normal way to these allocations and resulted in Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government of £4.3 million in 2018/19 and £7.3 million in 2019/20. The Barnett consequentials for the devolved administrations are shown in HM Treasury’s Block Grant Transparency publication (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/block-grant-transparency-december-2017-publication).

Gift Aid

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average cost of processing a gift aid claim on charitable donations was in the last year for which data is available.

Robert Jenrick: The average cost to HMRC of processing a Gift Aid claim based on the data available for the tax year 2017-18 is less than £3 per claim. The total cost of processing Gift Aid claims is less than 0.1% of the total amount of Gift Aid repaid in 2017-18. A Gift Aid claim from a charity or a Community Amateur Sports Club can include any number of individual donations.

LIBOR

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much LIBOR funding he has yet to allocate.

Elizabeth Truss: The LIBOR grant scheme was closed following the announcement of the final tranche of funding at Autumn Budget 2017. All LIBOR fines received from the Financial Conduct Authority have been committed.

UK Trade with EU

Jo Platt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 16b on page 17 of the white paper, The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, cm. 9593, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) financial cost and (b) potential job losses resulting from the Government's policy to require refunding of tariffs on four per cent of UK goods trade.

Mel Stride: On 12 July, the government published a White Paper setting out a clear proposal for the future relationship the UK wants to build with the European Union. In this paper the government proposed a new Facilitated Customs Arrangement (FCA) with the EU. The FCA seeks to ensure that we promote the greatest possible trade with both the EU and the rest of the world. The government is seeking to maximise the number of traders who will not need to interact with a voluntary repayment mechanism. For businesses that would be eligible for a tariff repayment, the government assesses that this would lead to neither net costs nor job losses for these businesses. This is because businesses would only enter into the voluntary repayment mechanism if they stand to benefit overall from the UK’s independent trade policy. The Government assesses that the eligibility for a repayment is most likely relevant to imports of intermediate goods from non-EU countries for which a tariff differential could arise which is equivalent to around 4% of total UK trade in goods. Further detail is set out in section 1.2.1 of the publication.

UK Trade with EU

Jo Platt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the document The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, page 49, paragraph 162, what preparations are being made to create an enforcement system to prevent the wrongful payment of tariffs; and how much the Government has allocated to fund those preparations.

Mel Stride: Under the Facilitated Customs Arrangement, where there is a material risk of circumvention of the higher UK tariff, the UK would make it illegal to pay the wrong tariff. To enforce this, HMRC would carry out risk-based and targeted checks across the country, rather than at the border, according to intelligence and threat assessment that draw on a variety of information sources. This would protect against fraud, ensure that the UK has an effective trade remedies regime and strengthen the UK’s position in trade negotiations. HMRC has a strong track record in tackling all kinds of avoidance, evasion and non-compliance and already has an established approach to customs compliance involving pre and post clearance activity away from the border, and would use this approach for the Facilitated Customs Arrangement. HMRC has been allocated £260m of funding in 2018-19 to support the department in preparing for departure from the EU. The finalised allocation for 2018-19 will be confirmed at Supplementary Estimates in early 2019.

European Investment Bank

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding was provided by the European Investment Bank to UK businesses in each year for which records are available since 1998; and what assessment he has made of the contribution of funding by that bank to the UK economy over that period.

John Glen: The European Investment Bank, and its offshoot, the European Investment Fund, have been an important source of finance for infrastructure investment and growth businesses in a range of sectors including energy, transport, housing, education, water and sewerage. The EIB publishes details of all their projects on their website. Financing details of all projects can be found at the link below: http://www.eib.org/projects/loan/list/?region=1&country=GB As set out in the joint report on progress during phase 1 of the negotiations, the government considers that there could be mutual benefit from a continuing arrangement between the UK and the EIB, and wishes to explore these possible arrangements in the second phase of negotiations. The government is also continuing to take steps to ensure that finance continues to be available for good infrastructure projects and growth businesses: the UK Guarantees Scheme, which gives government support for private infrastructure finance, has been broadened to offer construction guarantees, and at Budget the Chancellor launched the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to support the transition to zero emission vehicles.

European Investment Bank

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of remaining a member of the European Investment Bank after the UK leaves the EU.

John Glen: In her speech in Florence on 22 September 2017, when setting out the UK’s aims for the Implementation Period, the PM made clear that; “The United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the European Union on 29th March 2019. We will no longer sit at the European Council table or in the Council of Ministers, and we will no longer have Members of the European Parliament.”This means that in March 2019 the UK will no longer be a full member of the EIB as it will no longer be a Member State. This also means that, as agreed in December, repayment of the UK’s capital will commence in 2019.The UK considers that it may prove to be in the mutual interest of all sides for the UK to maintain some form of ongoing relationship with the EIB Group after leaving the EU, and we will explore these options with the EU as part of the negotiations on the future relationship.And as the Chancellor said in his Mansion House speech last year, if we do not maintain our relationship with the EIB group, we will be prepared. The government has already taken steps to increase support for infrastructure finance and high-growth businesses, and will keep that support under review as negotiations progress.The British Business Bank has already raised the limits on the amount it can invest in venture capital funds from 33% up to 50%, and brought forward of some of the £400m additional investment that was announced at the Autumn Statement 2016, providing the BBB with the flexibility to significantly increase its investment. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has also broadened the range of the UK Guarantees Scheme by offering construction guarantees for the first time.

VAT: Internet

Jo Stevens: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department has taken to help small businesses cover the costs of making the mandated transition to online VAT returns in April 2019.

Mel Stride: The government is fully committed to supporting businesses in making a successful transition to Making Tax Digital. Regarding the help and support available, I refer the Honourable member to my answers of 26 March 2018 to PQs N133391 and N133392. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the software industry have a shared aim of ensuring a wide range of software products at a variety of price points is made available. Costs to business of both hardware and software are normally 100% deductible against taxable income.

USA: Official Visits

Louise Haigh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reasons his Department agreed to provide funding for the policing costs of the recent visit by President Donald Trump to Police Scotland; and whether an assessment was made of providing such funding for police forces in England and Wales.

Elizabeth Truss: Policing is a devolved matter for the Scottish Government. However, President Trump’s visit to the UK was at the invitation of the UK Government. Given this, the UK Government exceptionally agreed to offer additional funding, if required, to support Police Scotland and the Scottish Government deliver this visit.

Customs

Angela Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, Cm. 9593, published on 12 July 2018, what types of goods will be excluded from the proposed Facilitated Customs Arrangement with the EU.

Mel Stride: The Facilitated Customs Arrangement (FCA) would remove the need for customs processes between the UK and the EU, while allowing the UK to set its own tariffs for goods imported from non-EU countries. Where a good reaches the UK border, and the destination can be robustly demonstrated by a trusted trader, it will pay the UK tariff if it is destined for the UK and the EU tariff if it is destined for the EU. This is most likely to be relevant to finished goods. Where a good reaches the UK border and the destination cannot be robustly demonstrated at the point of import, it will pay the higher of the UK or EU tariff. Where the good’s destination is later identified to be a lower tariff jurisdiction, it would be eligible for a repayment from the UK Government equal to the difference between the two tariffs. This is most likely to be relevant to intermediate goods. The government is seeking to maximise the number of traders who will not need to interact with a voluntary repayment mechanism. It is estimated up to 96 per cent of UK goods trade would be most likely to pay the correct or no tariff upfront.

Revenue and Customs: Buildings

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many buildings leased or owned by HMRC are currently not occupied; and if he will publish a list of those buildings with the (a) dates since when those buildings have not been occupied and (b) rental and other charges paid on those buildings during those periods in which they have not been occupied.

Mel Stride: HMRC currently has 3 unoccupied properties on its estate, all held through the STEPS PFI Contract with Mapeley. Details of these properties are provided below. PropertyDate unoccupied fromCost for unoccupied periodNotesRiverside House, Woolwich High Street, London, SE18 6DN31 Oct 2017£250,000Office10/14 Hawbank Road, College Milton Industrial Estate, East Kilbride, Strathclyde G74 5HA31 Mar 2017£475,000WarehouseRayleigh, 16 Totman Crescent, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7XG.31 Mar 2017£140,000Warehouse

Revenue and Customs: West Sussex

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC have taken to work collaboratively with initiatives under the One Public Estate programme in West Sussex to accrue savings to the public purse.

Mel Stride: HM Revenue and Customs initiated meetings with West Sussex Council. They were not advanced enough in their plans under the One Public Estate to fit HMRC’s plans to locate its Specialist Site in Worthing.

Debit Cards: Fees and Charges

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of changes in the level of costs to (a) car auctions and (b) other industries for debit card transaction charges as a result of the Interchange Fee Regulation.

John Glen: The European Commission plans to review the effectiveness of the Interchange Fee Regulation in the coming years as part of its usual process. Government has therefore not made a formal assessment of the impact of the Interchange Fee Regulation. The Government is open to hearing views on this issue, and digital payments more broadly, as evidenced by its recently closed call for evidence on cash and digital payments in the new economy. This sought information on how the shift from cash to digital payments impacts on different sectors, different regions and different demographics. The Government will formally respond to the call for evidence in due course.

Landlords: Tax Allowances

Sir Vince Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the effect of (a) changes in mortgage interest tax relief for private landlords and (b) the end of the wear and tear tax allowance since the inception of those measures in April 2017.

Mel Stride: It is too early to properly assess the wider impacts of the restrictions to finance cost relief for landlords introduced in April 2017 as these are still being phased in. But given that only a small proportion of the housing market is affected by these changes, the government does not expect them to have a large impact on either house prices or rent levels. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) also expects the impact on the housing market will be small. The government expects that tenancy conditions will improve and more landlords will benefit from the reform of Wear and Tear allowance. Since April 2016 Replacement of domestic items relief has allowed all residential landlords to deduct actual costs incurred on replacing furnishings. All landlords, not just those of fully furnished properties, are now able to obtain tax relief for the costs of renewing furnishings in their properties.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Ticketmaster: Data Protection

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Question 160146 on Ticketmaster, what discussions his Department has had with the (a) National Crime Agency and (b) National Cyber Security Centre on Ticketmaster's recent data breach.

Margot James: A cross-whitehall official led meeting was convened on 28 June 2018 to discuss the ticketmaster incident. Attendees included representatives from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre.

Ticketmaster: Data Protection

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2018 to Question 160146 on Ticketmaster, what progress has been made on the investigation into Ticketmaster's recent data breach.

Margot James: The National Crime Agency’s criminal investigation is ongoing. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has concluded a number of investigative strands to help Ticketmaster remediate and mitigate the compromise, and have since released relevant advice and guidance to the NCSC website: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/statement-ticketmaster-cyber-incident

Ticketmaster: Data Protection

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to Answer of 10 July 2018 to Question 160146 on Ticketmaster, how many consumers were affected by Ticketmaster's recent data breach.

Margot James: Ticketmaster have released details about the data incident which stated that 5% of its global customer base had been affected and those affected have been contacted by the company with details on how to reset passwords. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued advice to customers of Ticketmaster which includes guidance on changing passwords which is freely available on the NCSC website. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is in regular contact with Ticketmaster, and their investigation into this matter is ongoing. The ICO will provide further detail on the incident on conclusion of their investigation.

Gambling: Advertising

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what analysis his Department has commissioned (a) within and (b) outside of his Department on the effect of gambling advertising on (i) the general population (ii) people under the age of 18.

Tracey Crouch: Our Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility looked at the evidence and protections around gambling advertising. A major survey of evidence by Per Binde, published in 2014, found the impact of advertising on the prevalence problem gambling was likely to be rather small, as one factor among many which make up the environment, although it identified areas for further research. Significant research has been commissioned by GambleAware into the impact of gambling advertising on children, young people and those vulnerable to harm. This is due to be completed next year. The Gambling Commission carries out an annual survey of gambling behaviour among 11-16 year olds in Great Britain. In 2016 and 2017 this found that there was little evidence of a direct influence of advertising on gambling activity, with 1% of young people in the survey saying advertising prompted them to start gambling or increase the amount they gamble.

Gambling: Internet

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to restrict online gambling-style games targeted at people under the age of 18.

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to restrict credit card betting.

Tracey Crouch: In March 2018, the Gambling Commission announced the conclusions from its review of online gambling which can be found at: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/Online-review-March-2018.pdf Among the changes proposed was the further protection of children by requiring licensed gambling operators to complete age-verification checks before consumers are able to access free-to-play gambling-style games. The Gambling Commission also announced that it would conduct further work to understand the risks of gambling on credit cards before consulting on options for change.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Voluntary Work

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he plans to publish his Department's civil society strategy.

Tracey Crouch: The Civil Society Strategy will set out a vision for how the government will work to support and to strengthen civil society in the years to come, without compromising its independence. My officials are currently finalising the strategy, engaging with colleagues across government. We expect to publish it soon.

Big Lottery Fund

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much Big Lottery Fund spending was distributed per capita in each local authority region in the last year for which data are available.

Tracey Crouch: The table in the attached document shows the Big Lottery Fund spending per capita in each local authority area in 2016-17. However, this data does not present an accurate comparison of the benefits from Big Lottery Fund spending for several reasons:a) Funding is often provided over several years, but the data shows this in the year that the grant is awarded. For example an award of £600,000 for a five year long project, would be reported as £600,000 of funding in year one, and no funding in years two to five.b) the data reflects the geographical location of the funding recipient, but many projects reach far beyond the local authority where the funding recipient is located. An extreme example of this is the City of London, which has a small population but which was the location of funding recipients running two large nationwide projects. Conversely, areas that show no funding in 2016-17 have benefited from Big Lottery funded projects which have a primary location elsewhere.c) Island communities can also be outliers. Delivering a project usually involves a minimum fixed cost, so local authorities with very small populations will generally show a larger spend per capita than local authorities with higher populations.



Big Lottery Fund spending per capita 2016-17
(PDF Document, 487.81 KB)

Gambling: Regulation

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department plans to give local authorities increased powers to protect the public from gambling-related harms.

Tracey Crouch: As set out in the response to the Consultation on proposed changes to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures on 17th May, the government considers that Local Authorities have sufficient existing powers in relation to gambling-related harm. We encourage Local Authorities to continue making use of these powers to manage gambling at a local level, alongside working with the Gambling Commission to ensure the effective deployment of the existing tools at their disposal. We also welcome the guidance Tackling gambling related harm - a whole council approach, which was published this month by the Local Government Association.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Former Members

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many former hon. Members hold (a) paid and (b) unpaid roles within his Department as of 17 July 2018.

Margot James: We do not hold a central record of all employees, either paid or unpaid, who have previously been Members of Parliament.

Third Sector: EU Grants and Loans

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2017 to Question 112175, how many officials of his Department are working with colleagues across government to inform plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Tracey Crouch: The Government continues to work on the design and priorities of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). My department has strong representation in work across government to inform plans for the UKSPF. The Government will consult publically on the design and priorities of the UKSPF later this year, as announced in the Industrial Strategy white paper.

Electronic Commerce: EU Law

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2018 to Question 163522 on Electronic Commerce: EU Law, what the expiry date will be for the implementation period.

Margot James: The UK and EU negotiating teams have reached agreement on the terms of an implementation period that will start on 30 March 2019 and last until 31 December 2020.

Public Libraries

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many unstaffed open libraries that use technology to enable visitors to enter there are in each English region.

Michael Ellis: We do not hold the information requested.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many National Citizen Service graduates were eligible for free school meals (a) in England and (b) by local authority in the 12 months for which data is available.

Tracey Crouch: In 2017, 98,808 young people participated in NCS in England. 16.2% of these participants were eligible for free school meals, compared to 12.4% of the general population. The breakdown showing the number of NCS participants eligible for free school meals in 2017 for each participating local authority is attached to this response.

Performing Arts: Young People

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that young people from poor backgrounds have access to (a) opera and (b) other such live performances.

Michael Ellis: The Government believes that all art forms should be accessible to as many people as possible regardless of their background.Both the Royal Opera House (ROH) and the ROH Bridge Delivery Organisation, who receive Arts Council England (ACE) grants for 2018 - 22, have funding conditions linked to increasing participation in the arts through outreach work with schools and local communities. . The ROH’s excellent ‘Welcome Performance’ initiative aims to further increase family participation in the opera. Further details on the scheme can be found here: http://www.roh.org.uk/welcome-performances.The ROH also works with BP to produce Big Screen live relays of opera and ballet direct from Covent Garden to sites across the country. This enables ROH to reach as many people as possible with exhilarating live performances, allowing them to experience the very best of opera and ballet in their hometown for free.ACE support a broad range of opera activity via their Project Grants (formerly Grants for the arts) programme including Blackheath Community opera; Erratica opera (experimental practice); the Classical Opera Company; Mid-Wales opera; Garsington Opera’s education and engagement programme in East Lindsey, and many others.In addition, the ACE funded London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment both have extensive community and education programmes that make a significant contribution to local music education delivery.

Arts: Small Businesses

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government is planning to create alternative grass-roots funding programmes for creative SMEs if the UK does not participate in EU funded programmes after the UK leaves the EU.

Margot James: The creative industries contributed £91.8 billion to the economy in 2016, and the government recognises the important role of SMEs in this success. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to benefit from EU programmes such as Creative Europe until the end of the current period (until 2020). The White Paper published on 12 July states that the Government is open to looking at continued participation in programmes, such as Creative Europe. As part of the Sector Deal published in March, government is also looking at securing the sector’s future prosperity and growth and will invest more than £150 million across the lifecycle of creative businesses.

Video Games

Jo Stevens: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has made any assessment of recent trends in growth of the independent video game development sector.

Margot James: We have not published any specific analysis of growth trends in the independent video game sector. However, the latest DCMS Sector Economic Estimates report on employment, published on 18th July 2018, shows that jobs across the wider computer games sector more than doubled between 2011 and 2017. Our estimates indicate that UK computer games sector employment in 2011 was 13,000, increasing to 20,000 in 2015, 23,000 in 2016 and 30,000 in 2017.

Prime Minister

British Irish Council

Layla Moran: To ask the Prime Minister, for what reason she did not represent the Government at the 30th Summit of the British Irish Council in Guernsey in June 2018.

Mrs Theresa May: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 1 December 2017, UIN 115271

Northern Ireland Office

Cannabis: Medical Treatments

Tonia Antoniazzi: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussion she has had with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland the conditions of the licence for Billy Caldwell to ensure the availability of medicinal cannabis without the need to travel to Belfast.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Northern Ireland Office officials are in regular contact with Department of Health Northern Ireland officials to ensure that, following a recommendation from the expert panel, appropriate licences are in place which allow patients to be treated with cannabis-based medicines.It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the specific circumstances of certain individuals.

Political Parties: Northern Ireland

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) controls and (b) transparency regulations on donations from outside the United Kingdom to political parties in Northern Ireland.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The reporting arrangements brought into force by the Transparency of Donations and Loans etc. (Northern Ireland Political Parties) Order 2018 and which apply to donations and loans to Northern Ireland parties from within the UK also apply to Irish donations and loans to Northern Ireland parties. In order to make a donation Irish citizens must be eligible to obtain an Irish passport, certificate of nationality or naturalisation and Irish bodies making a donation must conduct one or more of its principal activities from an office in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Attorney General

National Fund

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Attorney General, if he will seek the release of money from the National Fund in order to set up a fund for good causes.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Attorney General, what progress he has made in his application to the High Court to release the money held by the National Fund.

Mr Geoffrey Cox: The National Fund was created in 1928 with the purpose of paying off the entire national debt. At present the fund cannot be used unless it completely clears the national debt, due to the terms of the fund’s charitable trust.On 22 May 2018 my predecessor made an application to the High Court to vary the terms of the charitable trust so that the National Fund can be used to help pay down the national debt.It is now for the High Court to decide whether the terms of the charitable trust should be varied. If the application is successful the money in the fund will be paid over to the National Debt Commissioners towards the reduction of the national debt.I consider that applying the fund in reduction of the national debt is the correct approach. This approach maintains the original charitable purpose of the national fund, namely the reduction of the national debt and it honours the original intention of the donors as a result of whose generosity the fund exists.We await a hearing date from the High Court.